A little story, that sucks.
A few days ago a tortoise was given to me for Christmas. It was a beautiful tortoise. A sulcata.
I prepared my Sulcata habitat in a way that Tom would be excited. I tested all the key elements before taking on this tortoise. Even making plans for the Summer and how he or she would live out it's life with my family.
This tortoise was sick when I got her/him. Sneezing, lethargic, not eating and such within the first hour of having this baby I knew there was a few issues.
I contacted the previous owner (breeder) an hour or so after getting the Sulcata. Asking what he fed her, what her temps were at his home for her. Tried to gain as much knowledge as possible before hanging up.
After begging for a different tortoise, the breeder finally agreed. The first tortoise died 2 hours later. Him claiming he would take her or him to the vet. I offered to take her to mine but the breeder refused stating his vet cut him a discount. I googled his vet and the reviews were amazing. I trusted his decision.
Yesterday, we exchanged. The breeder gave me a hatchling which I felt comfortable with. I changed out the bedding, changed everything in the old habitat to make sure the new tortoise didn't catch anything from the old one. This took me HOURS!
About an 1 hr ago, I wrote the breeder and informed him that this baby wasn't eating either. I had soaked her a few times. Changing out the water. She/he acting like it's choking on something. It bit at the water but still hasn't eaten. Which I understand it takes time to adjust. Her or his eyes won't really open.
The breeder recently wrote me back, claiming he has emails saying I was exchanging a dead tortoise for a new one, claiming that I knew she was not okay for days and didn't contact him. This all untrue.
He is taking me to court. This is obviously a Civil matter.
I contacted my local police department. I explained the situation and they too claimed it was civil. There is nothing I can do. But, go to court and plead my case. Bring the emails I have from the breeder. Because over the phone communication is after-all hear-say.
I am heart-broken. I just wanted a healthy tortoise.
A few days ago a tortoise was given to me for Christmas. It was a beautiful tortoise. A sulcata.
I prepared my Sulcata habitat in a way that Tom would be excited. I tested all the key elements before taking on this tortoise. Even making plans for the Summer and how he or she would live out it's life with my family.
This tortoise was sick when I got her/him. Sneezing, lethargic, not eating and such within the first hour of having this baby I knew there was a few issues.
I contacted the previous owner (breeder) an hour or so after getting the Sulcata. Asking what he fed her, what her temps were at his home for her. Tried to gain as much knowledge as possible before hanging up.
After begging for a different tortoise, the breeder finally agreed. The first tortoise died 2 hours later. Him claiming he would take her or him to the vet. I offered to take her to mine but the breeder refused stating his vet cut him a discount. I googled his vet and the reviews were amazing. I trusted his decision.
Yesterday, we exchanged. The breeder gave me a hatchling which I felt comfortable with. I changed out the bedding, changed everything in the old habitat to make sure the new tortoise didn't catch anything from the old one. This took me HOURS!
About an 1 hr ago, I wrote the breeder and informed him that this baby wasn't eating either. I had soaked her a few times. Changing out the water. She/he acting like it's choking on something. It bit at the water but still hasn't eaten. Which I understand it takes time to adjust. Her or his eyes won't really open.
The breeder recently wrote me back, claiming he has emails saying I was exchanging a dead tortoise for a new one, claiming that I knew she was not okay for days and didn't contact him. This all untrue.
He is taking me to court. This is obviously a Civil matter.
I contacted my local police department. I explained the situation and they too claimed it was civil. There is nothing I can do. But, go to court and plead my case. Bring the emails I have from the breeder. Because over the phone communication is after-all hear-say.
I am heart-broken. I just wanted a healthy tortoise.