TWO TERRAPINS in a tank have been dumped at the side of the road in Ombersley.
Following the incident, which happened at 9.30pm on Monday (April 3), the RSPCA has launched an appeal in a bid to find those responsible.
Inspector Adrian Langley said the two terrapins, although completely abandoned, looked to be in a good condition and had obviously been well looked after until they were dumped.
“Sadly, terrapins are often dumped when they become too large or difficult to care for, even though this is irresponsible as it can cause them suffering.
“It may be that people dump them because they can live a long time and grow fairly large.”
Red-eared and yellow-bellied terrapins or ‘sliders’ are considered ‘invasive alien species’ under a new EU regulation and so there are now strict restrictions on the sale, breeding, keeping and transportation of these terrapins.
Nicola White, senior scientific officer for the RSPCA, said: “Terrapins and turtles need to be cared for properly in a setup that mimics their natural environment as much as possible.
“Reptiles appear to have increased in popularity as pets and the number of related incidents dealt with by the RSPCA has risen in recent years too. “Sadly as their popularity as pets increases so does the number of calls we receive about them and we are experiencing widespread neglect of reptiles across the country.”
She said the charity discouraged anyone from buying a pet on a whim and urged people to think very carefully about taking one on, especially an exotic pet.
“The keeping, breeding and sale of red-eared terrapins or sliders, and subspecies, are also now subject to strict controls due to the potential danger they pose, as non-native species, to the natural environment.”
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other/terrapin for more information about how to care for terrapins and details of regulations.
Anyone with any information on the two terrapins found in Ombersley should call 0300 123 8018.
