Anyone else experience THIS? (theft of tortoise)

Pastel Tortie

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Not inside the house, heating and Air guys came to replace my swamp cooler on Monday but this happened Sunday and I came home Monday morning and my back door was open. Neighbors didn’t see anything but their dogs were going crazy Sunday night they said. I really do think it was a drug addicted person. I live in a bad part of town.
How many people would it take to carry that enclosure out the door?
 

Pastel Tortie

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Neighbors didn’t see anything but their dogs were going crazy Sunday night they said. I really do think it was a drug addicted person. I live in a bad part of town.
I'm NOT inclined to think it was a drug addict... Not unless somebody's dealer has a thing for tortoises. Complete enclosure and all.
 

aaron55

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I'm NOT inclined to think it was a drug addict... Not unless somebody's dealer has a thing for tortoises. Complete enclosure and all.
Usually drug addicted thieves steal weird things? I’m not sure why anyone would take a tortoise. The only thing I could think of is maybe the lighting? But why take the whole tank
 

Pastel Tortie

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Two. It was a 65 gallon tank
So at least two. Potentially easier with a third person to get the door, unless it's easy to prop open.

And they would have needed a big enough vehicle to transport a 65 gallon tank. That rules out most cars. Ideally, you'd want a van, SUV, or truck to move something like that.

Unless Elvis and his tank ended up with one of your neighbors... I wouldn't rule that one out, either. Especially since you said you live in a bad neighborhood.
 

Pastel Tortie

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Usually drug addicted thieves steal weird things? I’m not sure why anyone would take a tortoise. The only thing I could think of is maybe the lighting? But why take the whole tank
Because they were after the Tortoise. Unless somebody stashed something really weird and/or inappropriate in that tank. Then it would be valuable.
 

Minority2

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Tortoises themselves (even the more expensive breeds) aren't worth much to just about anyone unless they have the means to house them temporarily in order to re-sell them. That takes time, effort, space, and lots of equipment if it is indeed a sizeable operation.

Equipment/enclosures don't usually re-sell well. So that usually leaves the tortoise.

My guess is that this is possibly someone you already know. Someone that has seen the tortoise and the enclosure up close. They either stole it because:
1. Dislike your setup. Maybe they don't think it's good enough for the tortoise. Maybe they think they're liberating the tortoise from you.
2. Jealousy. They want the tortoise, plain and simple.
3. Again, jealousy. They don't like you, and they purposely stole something they know would tug into your heartstrings.

How did they manage to break in? Can you give us any specifics? The type of break-in method could also detail the type of person you could be dealing with. Was anything searched? Any mess created? Broken? Out of place?
 

Pastel Tortie

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My guess is that this is possibly someone you already know. Someone that has seen the tortoise and the enclosure up close. They either stole it because:
1. Dislike your setup. Maybe they don't think it's good enough for the tortoise. Maybe they think they're liberating the tortoise from you.
2. Jealousy. They want the tortoise, plain and simple.
3. Again, jealousy. They don't like you, and they purposely stole something they know would tug into your heartstrings.
Or maybe someone's jealous OF the tortoise?
Exes and spurned romantic interests can get a little crazy, sometimes. :rolleyes:
 

aaron55

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Tortoises themselves (even the more expensive breeds) aren't worth much to just about anyone unless they have the means to house them temporarily in order to re-sell them. That takes time, effort, space, and lots of equipment if it is indeed a sizeable operation.

Equipment/enclosures don't usually re-sell well. So that usually leaves the tortoise.

My guess is that this is possibly someone you already know. Someone that has seen the tortoise and the enclosure up close. They either stole it because:
1. Dislike your setup. Maybe they don't think it's good enough for the tortoise. Maybe they think they're liberating the tortoise from you.
2. Jealousy. They want the tortoise, plain and simple.
3. Again, jealousy. They don't like you, and they purposely stole something they know would tug into your heartstrings.

How did they manage to break in? Can you give us any specifics? The type of break-in method could also detail the type of person you could be dealing with. Was anything searched? Any mess created? Broken? Out of place?
Nothing was searched, my chairs and table was moved out of the way so they could walk it out the back door. The door was broken like the door jam splintered off the frame. I am really thinking they stole the setup thinking it was for growing weed. I had it sitting right by my front window in my house, maybe someone could have seen it then. I had an expensive uvb setup, UV reader, along with a humidifier and a thermostat and hygrometer. Just the lighting and equipment alone was probably over 500 bucks. People that live around me grow a lot of weed so I wouldn’t be surprised that’s what they stole it for.
 

Pistachio's Pamperer

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Nothing was searched, my chairs and table was moved out of the way so they could walk it out the back door. The door was broken like the door jam splintered off the frame. I am really thinking they stole the setup thinking it was for growing weed. I had it sitting right by my front window in my house, maybe someone could have seen it then. I had an expensive uvb setup, UV reader, along with a humidifier and a thermostat and hygrometer. Just the lighting and equipment alone was probably over 500 bucks. People that live around me grow a lot of weed so I wouldn’t be surprised that’s what they stole it for.
Then you might make a flyer to hang up that says something along the lines of....
"Don't care who you are... don't want to know.. Realize that the equipment might have value to you, so keep it... But please return the "precious life" that was contained within... "Name of tortoise"-my "whatever breed" because I love and miss him/her.. There will be a plastic tote on my porch/driveway, please feel free to return ((mention name again)) to the tote, there will be no cameras and no law enforcement involved. Just want my little guy/girl back."
Try playing on the heart strings. If your thought of equipment is right, they won't want the animal.

-Meg
 

Minority2

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Nothing was searched, my chairs and table was moved out of the way so they could walk it out the back door. The door was broken like the door jam splintered off the frame. I am really thinking they stole the setup thinking it was for growing weed. I had it sitting right by my front window in my house, maybe someone could have seen it then. I had an expensive uvb setup, UV reader, along with a humidifier and a thermostat and hygrometer. Just the lighting and equipment alone was probably over 500 bucks. People that live around me grow a lot of weed so I wouldn’t be surprised that’s what they stole it for.

Must be some broke, bored, and desperate kids because T5 grow lights aren't even considered in the top tier when someone think about best lighting for growing indoor weed. HID and LED grow lights are far more preferable. They may have even scoped out your home for weeks before making their move. I suggest installing a camera security system to prevent this from occurring again.
 

Srmcclure

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Nothing was searched, my chairs and table was moved out of the way so they could walk it out the back door. The door was broken like the door jam splintered off the frame. I am really thinking they stole the setup thinking it was for growing weed. I had it sitting right by my front window in my house, maybe someone could have seen it then. I had an expensive uvb setup, UV reader, along with a humidifier and a thermostat and hygrometer. Just the lighting and equipment alone was probably over 500 bucks. People that live around me grow a lot of weed so I wouldn’t be surprised that’s what they stole it for.
I have my babies in grow tents as well and I think you are right. They wanted the tent to grow. Weed is medically legal where i am so a few of our friends who have come over thought initially we were growing weed inside there. Nope. Thats a different tent, but i can easily see someone easily getting in for a free tent. Especially if its not legal where you are. They can charge more for the weed if not. Makes it more of a monetary win for them.
 

hermantort

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Hi all, just an open discussion. I recently got my house broken into. Nothing was stolen except for my tortoise Elvis, his enclosure, and lamps....

My question is, has anyone else ran into a theft where they steal a pet of yours?? To break into your house and steal your pet??? Outrageous
I have not experienced this with my tortoise thankfully, but a friend of mine almost has. she has a sulcata with an indoor and outdoor enclosure and she had some neighbors who were showing a lot of interest in him. she went home one day and their gate was open and all of his stuff in his enclosure was moved around and shoved aside like someone was looking for him, luckily he was inside that day but they think that those neighbors tried to take him. it's sad and very scary, you think you can trust people.
 
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