Anguish as pet tortoise is stolen
THE hunt is on to find a tortoise that was stolen from a home in Gower.
The beloved pet, named George, was taken from owner Lynn Hurford’s home in Three Crosses on November 12.
Lynn first noticed the tortoise was gone when her son came to ask her where he was.
“I had fed George and then gone upstairs to do some hoovering. About 45 minutes later, my son came to ask where George was, and I told him that he was on his heated mat where I’d left him.
“I went downstairs to show him but George wasn’t there.
“I was devastated. We are having renovations done on the house and our dogs have been barking non-stop, so when they barked I thought nothing of it.
“Now I realise that they were probably barking at someone in the house.”
Lynn and her neighbours have scoured every inch of the street looking for George, but Lynn is certain that George couldn’t have got out on his own.
She said: “We have had George since 2010 and he has never once got out on his own. He doesn’t go outside in the winter and he doesn’t hibernate for medical reasons.
“He lives in our conservatory and when he was taken the doors were shut, there’s simply no way he could have got out, and even if somehow he did, I am 100% certain he would not have made it out of the garden, which is secured on all sides.
“We’ve torn the street apart looking for him, our neighbours have been fantastic, they’ve looked in every nook and cranny and he’s nowhere to be found.
“We are absolutely devastated. George has left a huge hole in our family; losing a pet is like losing a family member.
“He’s got so much character, he comes straight to you when his name is called and he loves curling up alongside our dogs.”
Lynn has since shared an appeal for George on Facebook, which has amassed nearly 3,000 shares.
Just yesterday Lynn received a tip that her beloved tortoise had potentially been spotted in Newport, nearly 60 miles away.
“The power of Facebook has been simply amazing,” Lynn said.
“So many people have liked, shared and messaged me about George. I can’t thank those who have done so enough.”
Lynn said that anyone with any information should get in touch with either herself or the police.
“A tortoise’s shell is like a human thumbprint; no two are the same. George has really distinctive markings, as well as being microchipped. If you think you have found him, please take him to a local vets or other safe place as he needs daily medications.”
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: “We are appealing for information following the theft of a pet tortoise from a house in the Three Crosses area sometime between 4pm and 4.45pm on Friday, November 12.
“Anyone who has any information concerning this theft or who may have been offered the tortoise for sale is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting reference 1200399656.”