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Diamond Sterlets (pictured) and Koi carp stolen

Between 9pm on 18th August 2009 and 8am on August 19 2009.

A quantity of high value fish were stolen from Maidenhead Aquatics at St John’s Garden Centre, Barnstaple.

More than ten Koi Carps were stolen, along with half a dozen Diamond Sterlets, in total worth more than £1500.

It is feared the fish will die very soon if not given proper care and conditions.

Police are appealing for anyone with information, or who is offered the fish for sale, to contact them on 08452 777444.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The image is for illustrative purposes only. 

Further details  http://ping.fm/UX7Vq Further appeals www.themissinglist.co.uk

Zeus, a 7 stone Sulcata tortoise has been stolen

I try to stay dispassionate, but sometimes it’s difficult…

Zeus, a 7 stone Sulcata tortoise has been stolen during a burglary at The Tortoise Garden at Sticker, near St Austell.

He was stolen along with over 20 other tortoises in a burglary at sanctuary between Sunday night (9 August 2009) and Monday morning (10 August 2009).

The offenders forced their way into a number of locked enclosures and stole Zeus along with Margis, Leopard, Spur, Redfoot and Yellowfoot tortoises.

Other tortoises had been stolen from their pens earlier on the Sunday, probably by a visitor who went to the garden which is open to the public.

On that occasion five tortoises – 2 Hermans, 1 male juvenile Spur and 2 Indian Stars were stolen.

The owner of the tortoise garden, Joy Bloor said,

“I am absolutely devastated that the tortoises have been stolen.

“Many of them are tropical tortoises which means that they will suffer if they are not kept in the right conditions.”

John Hayward, the co-ordinator of the national theft register for exotic animals, who are security advisors for zoos and animal associations said,

“A number of different species were stolen, many of which are on the most endangered species list.

“Those particularly animals referred to, especially the Hermann’s and the Spur-thighed tortoises can only be sold or purchased under licence.

“Because of their rarity it is illegal to offer such species into trade and it is a most serious offence which can carry upwards of 5 year in prison.

“It is not the actual monetary value. Our main concern is the welfare of these tortoises that have special dietary requirement.

“Additionally as a result of the action of the thieves vital breeding programmes have been destroyed.”

Anyone with any information regarding the stolen tortoises is asked to call John Hayward of the national register for animals 07802 404 929 who is in direct contact with St Austell CID.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Further details http://ping.fm/2n68T Further appeals www.themissinglist.co.uk

A further 10 animals have been taken from the home of a man convicted of keeping a rare and illegal fighting dog and two banned pitbull terriers.

Officers from West Midlands Police carried out a raid on the Smethwick home of Qamar Shamim and found a kennel full of dogs being kept in poor conditions.

The animals, which included a Rhodesian Ridgeback and five British Bulldogs, had been given by Shamim to his brother after he was banned from keeping them earlier this week.

The 31-year-old, from Edgbaston Road, was banned from keeping animals for 10 years by Warley magistrates who also gave him a 20-week prison sentence suspended for a year.

He admitted three counts of keeping breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, one of them an 11-stone Japanese Tosa, believed to be the only one of its kind in the country.

Police, working alongside the RSPCA, re-visited the house following the court hearing with a warrant for an unrelated matter.

PC Keith Evans, the force’s Dog Legislation officer, said:

“When we visited the property we found the dogs which had been handed over by the defendant to his brother.

“We had great concerns about their welfare but the new owner co-operated fully and was pleased to hand ownership of them to us.”

The dogs, which also included two American Bulldogs and two Staffordshire Bull terriers, were being used for breeding.

They are now in the care of West Midlands Police who are homing them until passing them on to the RSPCA who will assess them before beginning a course of ‘socialising’ them after their time in the kennel.

The man who had been passed ownership of the animals also agreed to pull down the kennels.

RPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs said:

“Up until now these dogs have endured a sad existence used as breeding machines. They have no experience of a normal life such as being walked on a lead.

“The dogs will be assessed in our care and provided with training with a view to finding each of them a loving new home.”

The Tosa, named Conan, has been taken into the care of West Midlands Police dog handling unit who will use him to educate other officers from around the country on their appearance and behaviour

Further details http://ping.fm/irzw1 Further appeals/news www.themissinglist.co.uk

See: www.themissinglist.com