Animal cruelty in East Dulwich?! Trapped terrapins need your help!

[supersammyc]

Trapped terrapin turtles need your help!

Just walk into Lordship Dry Cleaners and take a look for yourself

tiny glass containers with little terrapins going mad trying to get out

call me sensitive, but it made me mad/sad - the thoughtless nature of humans sometimes

please do go in there and ask them a) to clean the algae out, b) to get a much bigger container

if more people ask perhaps they will do something

I already told RSCPC but it's probably too minor for them.

Sam

[PSJ]

Seconded. Any customers of theirs who cares about animals should say something and take their business elsewhere until this needless suffering ends. 😞 Very upsetting.

[Sue]

Which dry cleaners is this?

The one near the EDT or the one near the Post Office?

Or the one near The Plough?

[Robert Poste's Child]

Think that must be the one by the EDT?

[Willard]

Yeah, the one by the EDT. I've been in there and it did make me wince when I saw them. The tank is far too small.

[Blah Blah]

The RSPCA are very clear about what is required to look after a terrapin properly and keep it healthy.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other/terrapin

If the terrapins are not enjoying the care described on that page, then it sounds as though the RSPCA would act on a report.

[pipsky2008]

supersammyc Wrote:

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> Trapped terrapin turtles need your help!

> Just walk into Lordship Dry Cleaners and take a

> look for yourself

> tiny glass containers with little terrapins going

> mad trying to get out

> call me sensitive, but it made me mad/sad - the

> thoughtless nature of humans sometimes

> please do go in there and ask them a) to clean the

> algae out, b) to get a much bigger container

> if more people ask perhaps they will do something

> I already told RSCPC but it's probably too minor

> for them.

> Sam

I spoke to a member of staff at this place this afternoon. They say that the terrapins belong to a person who works there and that they have been asked to remove them.

I saw the tank and the struggle the creatures had to mount the floating islands. The gradient from the water to a out of water resting place is far too steep, the equivalent of a human treading water and pulling oneself out of a deep end swimming pool by arms alone. Very exhausting and unacceptable in welfare terms. Brought to the attention of ward Cllr.

[Mystic Mog]

So they are going to remove them to suffer out of view? Phoned the RSPCA today, they were passing the details on to an inspector.

[ponderwoman]

And while we're all forming an orderly queue to voice our outrage, spare a thought for the crabs and lobster weighted down to immobility by lack of sea bouyancy, slowly dying on the fish stalls and mongers. Perfectly acceptable in welfare terms?? Of course plopping terrapins in some boiling water would end their suffering. Ah, the dilemmas of life!

Anyone for terrapin sushi?

[Blah Blah]

So people should not voice concern for these terrapins because fishmongers sell crab? That is some warped logic.

[intexasatthe moment]

I think the post from ponderwoman was pointing out that there are other cruelties that can be objected to as well as the current terrapin situation .

Not quite sure how you drew your rather strange conclusion from the post .But I guess meanings can get mangled in the written word .

[ponderwoman]

Yes, of course. Great all those people who raised their concern for the terrapins. I don't know whether the owner gave them inadequate living conditions through ignorance or disinterest, but raising awareness to the issue hopefully will make a difference. I would prefer all the living world to be able to have a good quality of life- and death, wouldn't we all.

For all those who enjoyed a sea supplied gourmet weekend, well, just saying, the interim wait from the ingredients point of view, looks a bit harsh.

[Zak]

Lobsters..............

Actually, if anyone is really concerned about animal cruelty on Lordship Lane, then they should think about challenging Moxoms about the lobsters they hold captive on their counter and challenge anyone who buys one, intending to kill it by immersing it in boiling water!

[dbboy]

or in the freezer for a couple of hours and then into boiling water I understand is the way to dispatch them.

[Jules-and-Boo]

While there are many instances of abuse/ cruelty there is absolutely a reason to respond to an individual instance.

It is not ok to decide not to bother because the sheer scale appears insurmountable.

So yes, save the terrapins and also note that there are other instances.

Don't just so all incapable and say there are too many instances to know where to start.... and turn a blind eye.

[KidKruger]

Neglect of terrapins and turtles (and tortoises), basically all chelonians, can cause issues with their shell which can become warped and disfigured. They often need additional heat (heatlamp, heatmap), a certain kind of lamp to supply (I think) UV for the shells, plus calcium in diet for obvious reasons, plus other specific dietary needs. Turtles I had previously pooed in the water, which therefore had to be changed a couple of times a day.

They can take quite some care overall.

[Sue]

I genuinely don't understand why somebody would want to keep terrapins, or any other creature for that matter, if they don't know how to care for them properly and humanely.

Well OK, vicious dogs (for example) I can understand for a certain type of person, but terrapins??

[philosophie]

This post is so sad. What pointless, horrible suffering - why would you keep something as a "pet" if you can't be bothered to care for it properly. If anyone finds out what has happened with the RSPCC, do let us all know... The only thing that has cheered me up is that so many people here care!

[EPB]

Has anyone spoken to the owners of these poor creatures?

[suzyq52r]

EPB Wrote:

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> Has anyone spoken to the owners of these poor

> creatures?

Yes I went to see him today and he seemed genuinely kind and caring. He told me the pet shop had told him to keep them in that size tank as they adapt to their environment and so won't grow so big. He said they do get to sit on those floating logs. I said according to the Internet they need a larger tank etc and he said he would definitely do some research himself. I think he will and he is not being deliberately thoughtless and cruel.

[jamesmcash]

Hi all

Did anyone get a response from the RSPCA? I'm currently looking into what the Council can do regarding the regulation of this but I fear that it may not be very much.

Best wishes

Jamea

[Mystic Mog]

Yes, RSPCA phoned me back yesterday but gave no idea when they will be calling.

Regarding the 'pet shop' they were purchased from, they certainly need a serious talking to.

messageRe: Animal cruelty in East Dulwich?! Trapped terrapins need your help!

Posted by suzyq52r Yesterday, 07:09PM

EPB Wrote:

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> Has anyone spoken to the owners of these poor

> creatures?

Yes I went to see him today and he seemed genuinely kind and caring. He told me the pet shop had told him to keep them in that size tank as they adapt to their environment and so won't grow so big. He said they do get to sit on those floating logs. I said according to the Internet they need a larger tank etc and he said he would definitely do some research himself. I think he will and he is not being deliberately thoughtless and cruel.

[Jules-and-Boo]

good. sometimes it's easily rectified by a conversation and increased understanding.

[Emma Bailey]

But has the situation been rectified ? I would be curious to know where he bought the terrapins as the sale of most species of terrapin is now illegal in the UK. This is because many hundreds ended up being dumped in the wild or in ponds when they got too big or their owners got bored with them.

I also find the advice of "keeping them in a small tank to restrict their growth" laughable apart from being cruel. He must have made that up. Imagine applying this logic to a dog or cat. The mind boggles !

[Sue]

Emma Bailey Wrote:

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> I also find the advice of "keeping them in a small

> tank to restrict their growth" laughable apart

> from being cruel. He must have made that up.

It isn't true, but that doesn't mean somebody made it up.

They may have believed it and passed it on in good faith.