Stolen tortoise Tonks is returned safe and sound

THIEF TOOK HIM FROM PET SHOP BUT RETURNED HIM AFTER AN APPEAL

- ISABELLE BATES News Reporter

A SOCIAL media appeal has helped to reunite a tortoise with its carers after it was stolen from a Midland pet store.

Tonks the tortoise was receiving specialist care at Shirley Aquatics when he was taken on Tuesday, September 2.

The pet was being treated for a vitamin deficiency and metabolic bone disease at the centre in Wythall.

But CCTV captured the moment a thief brazenly shoved Tonks into his coat and walked out of the store.

Shirley Aquatics managing director, Richard Cook, quickly shared a video on Facebook calling for the tortoise's safe return.

And on Sunday, September 7, he received a call from the man who had taken Tonks saying that he did not want to go to prison.