Appeal to find Rupert the missing three-legged tortoise who escaped from his Moulton Chapel home in May

An appeal has been launched to find a three legged tortoise who has gone missing from his home.

Devastated owner Wendy-Anne Steer has described Rupert the tortoise as a ‘grumpy git’ but is desperate to get news of the escape artist.

Wendy says that Rupert disappeared from her garden in Wiles Avenue in Moulton Chapel on the village tulip parade day on Sunday, May 5.

The family had only been out a couple of hours but returned to find him missing. They scanned the cameras which cover the garden and found no activity.

Since then Wendy has been searching the area near her home, which backs onto the ‘ski slope’ Chapel Gate development being constructed by Alison Homes. The developer has supported the search and its staff have also been looking out for Rupert.

Wendy, who has owned Rupert for just two years and had recently constructed a new home for him, said: “I love him very much and he is such a grumpy git.

“My children say he is my favourite child.

“We were not out two hours and when we got back, we couldn’t find him anywhere in the garden.

“I am so worried about him - if he has got into the building site they are not going to see him.

“There is a possibility that he has dug down as the weather is so awful. I don’t know what he is eating and drinking or how well he is eating or drinking.”

Wendy and her family adopted Rupert two years ago as he was pestering the other two tortoises in his previous home.

She said: “My cousin had him as someone else didn’t want him. He has a big dent in the back of his shell and he has a rear leg missing. Historically a dog must have had him.

“He has not had an easy life.

“He was quite grumpy and used to huff and puff when I picked him up but he got over that.

“He is a lot of fun but such a grumpy git.

“I am sick to my stomach and just want to know that he is safe.”

Kind-hearted people had contacted Wendy to let her know that a tortoise had been handed into South Lincs Vets Group at Sutterton but unfortunately this is not Rupert.

Wendy is now asking people to look out for Rupert and to contact her if they spot him. She has posted appeals on Facebook groups in Moulton Chapel and Weston.

If you see Rupert contact Wendy by emailling wendy@steer.org.uk

Have you seen Rupert? Post a comment below…