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Most of us not only have turtles or tortoises but also have a
dog, cat or both. They are usually the sweetest things on four feet and
wouldn't harm a fly. But please remember that although our four legged
loved ones are docile they are are still wired to react to moving
objects and to be curious. It's their nature. Leaving them alone for
just one minute could be fatal to your turtle or tortoise. Over the
years I have heard so many accounts of the family dog or cat mauling
ones pet and the owner devastated by the loss/injury of their shelled
pet. Sometimes the turtle makes it, but too often it is mauled beyond
help. I've decided to start this page with testimonials from those that
have lost their turtles to those terrible tragedies to try to make
others aware of the dangers. Some may be from a neighbors cat or dog
that is not kept inside or fenced in, some may be anonymous, but all are
sadly true.
Here's a couple of the posts:
This is an example of some of the e-mails we get:
"I have an 11 month old Sulcata, and my parents
Dauschaund and Min Pin chewed him up. I am not at home
but I will be Tuesday. What can I do for my little
guy? They chewed his shell until it looks bruised or
does it have blood in it? on his underside he has a
spot smaller than a dime that looks bloody. Alot of
shell damage though.......PLEASE HELP!!"
Subject: HELP need to plaster a shell. chaucerone
My first and only Russian tortoise got attacked by a dog and the vet
said that I need to plaster his shell. Can anyone offer me advice on
doing this?
Please please no berating comments as if I had been able to avoid this
situation I would have. Dushka (Russian for BELOVED) is my baby and
this was his first and last night out in his outdoor enclosure. We have
a fenced in yard and his enclosure was fenced as well but my Father's
dog hopped the enclosure. Thanks in advance from both Dushka and me,
Kirsten.
Subject: Dushka has passed on. chaucerone
Hi everyone I just wanted to thank you for all the advice but Dushies
injuries were too extensive even with the medical care our vet gave him. I know
this isn't a religious forum but if possible can you send prayers of whatever
sort your religion offers both to Dushies spirit and to my Father who is
inconsolable (his dog did it). Again thank you everyone for all the support and
I
am done with shelled angels for quite a long time since they are not safe here.
Kirsten.
Subject: Re: [RussianTortoise] Cats with torts?
Hi Chris,
My daughter got 2 torts this summer and we built them a nice outdoor open
enclosure. The neighbor's cats got into the pen and killed our Sunny girl. It
still stresses me to think about it. I know that many people here have torts
and cats with no problems so I would think it depends on the cat. Also we have
a wireless fence around our yard and the torts didn't seemed bother by it at all
and their pen was close to a small section of the wire. I hope this helps-
Carol and Jen
"I just want to warn you about dogs. My dog was always very good with my
tort, he seemed not to give him much thought, but one day last spring I let
the tort out in the backyard to munch dandelions and I left the dog out
there for a moment while I attended to my kids. When I went back to get the
tort, Rocky, the dog was just walking away from the tort and I knew
something was wrong, Rocky acted like he was in trouble. I screamed, Rocky
had bitten big chunks out of Maya's shell. At least a fourth of her shell
was gone and you could see her insides. It was the most awful thing.
And then suddenly she came out of her shell, I thought she was dead for sure
but she wasn't. This horrified me even more because I knew she was
suffering. This happened on a Sunday of course, so I had to pay a extra fee
to have the vet come in. He said there was nothing he could do but put her
down, and so that's what he did.
No matter how nice you think your dog might be, don't ever trust them. I
actually think Rocky was just curious as to what was inside the shell. I'm
sure he meant no harm, but he did none the less.
I hope no one else has to witness such a tragedy, it was nearly the saddest
thing I've ever seen, and I felt so terrible.
Take care,
Robin"
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