Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 11:57am

Tortoise owner asked to shell out for its return

by Jamie MacDonald

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Mark Allan was asked for £165 for the safe return of Jackass the tortoise.

THE owner of a fleet footed tortoise has been told he will have to shell out £165 to have it returned.

Mark Allan's tortoise 'Jackass' legged it last month from his garden at Woodlea Park, Sauchie.

After worrying it might have more than just one foot in the grave Mark was relieved to see an appeal by the Scottish SPCA for its owner to come forward but was less than happy with the amount they were asking for its return.

He told the Advertiser, "It is an unbelievable amount. I was willing to pay something to get it back but I'm not going to pay £165.

"It costs us approximately 30p a day to feed it and keep it warm with a lightbulb."

The tortoise escaped from a pen Mark had built in his back garden for it to use during the recent spell of fine weather and he thought it had dug itself a place in the garden.

SSPCA has cared for the pet since it was found on 18 June and a spokesperson said they would be asking for a donation towards the costs incurred in rescuing and caring for the pet over the past five weeks.

The charity's chief superintendent Mike Flynn added, "In 2009 we cared for over 14,000 unwanted, neglected, stray and abandoned animals.

"We would rather more of our limited resources were available for those animals that have been cruelly treated, injured or neglected as they are the ones that desperately need our help, but we will take in lost animals and provide shelter and care where we can.

"Anyone reclaiming a lost pet or rehoming an animal from us is asked to pay a charge which enables us to recoup a very small percentage of the total amount of money we spend on caring for defenceless animals.

"Often stray and lost pets go unclaimed and we end up caring for them for many weeks, even months, before they are found loving new homes.

"During this time we invest our limited resources in caring for the animal, providing food, accommodation, vet treatment, and in some cases neutering and identity microchipping."