The RSPCA fears the release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film at the box office could lead to a spate of animal dumping.
The wildlife charity is warning people against buying exotic pets on impulse after two terrapins were dumped in a field near Headington just after Christmas. Sharon Bailey was walking her dog near her home in Headington on December 29 when she came across a soggy cardboard box with the reptiles inside.
She said: “My attention was drawn when my dog pounced on this wet object and to my surprise there were two terrapins inside. They were pretty little things with yellow stripes, drenched in the rain. It seems heartless to have left them in this way, and I was concerned about them surviving out there so took them home and put them in the bath to warm up.”
The animal lover, who has experience owning reptiles, called the RSPCA for help. The animals were identified as yellow-bellied sliders and have been taken into private boarding while a new home is sought. According to the RSPCA, animals like terrapins are often abandoned in this way after being chosen as pets by people who want something unusual or quirky, but do not realise how difficult they can be to look after.
RSPCA animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said Hollywood movies like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was a hit with kids in the early 90s and is expected back at cinemas in 2012, inspired off-the-cuff animal purchases. Mr Lovell is appealing for information from anyone who might know who where the two abandoned terrapins came from.
He said: “Sadly, it is not that unusual for terrapins to get dumped like this. Many people bought them on a whim after the ninja turtle films a while back and did not realise how big they can grow, how difficult they can be to care for properly and how expensive they can end up being.
“People get them as cute little pets when they are the size of a 50p piece, then get a shock when they grow to the size of a dinner plate a couple of years later and need bigger and better tanks, pumps and other equipment.
“They end up struggling to cope and there are lots of dumped terrapins living in the wild in England as a result. This has all kinds of knock-on effects to our eco-system. I hope the new film doesn’t end up making this problem worse.”
Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA cruelty line on 03001 234999.
