Deceased Tortoise Discovered in Abandoned Cage at Leicester Park

An appeal for information has been issued following the death of a tortoise found in a cage that was discarded in a park. A member of the public located a hamster cage containing a tortoise in Spinney Hill Park, situated off Mere Road in Leicester, at approximately 13:00 BST on Friday, October 11. The RSPCA was contacted, and a veterinarian was called to examine the animal. The charity reported that attempts to warm the tortoise were made, but the reptile had already died. Animal rescue officer Ellie Grindrod described the incident as “heartbreaking” while appealing for public assistance. The RSPCA stated that the abandoned cage was too small for the creature and contained decomposing food. The organization added that the tortoise itself was in poor condition and “looked neglected”. Ms. Grindrod commented: “We can’t be sure exactly what happened in this case, but it’s possible that the tortoise died before being abandoned outside.“Tortoises may look resilient and tough on the outside, but they are actually completely reliant on their owners to provide the correct environment for the species, including heating and lighting, and an appropriate diet.“We understand the financial difficulties some people are experiencing right now, however, avoiding taking your pet for the vet care they need is never the answer.””