Tortoise Escapes Garden and Is Injured on Somerset Road

Pet owners are being urged to ensure their animals are securely contained following an incident in Taunton this July, where a six-year-old tortoise named Tom escaped from his family garden and was subsequently hit by a car.

Tom, who shares his home with five other tortoises, was found by a member of the local community with a substantial crack in his shell. They promptly took him to Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, part of Inspiring Vet Care, where staff managed to trace his owners and begin treatment.

Veterinary surgeon Andrew Carpenter, who had not previously treated a tortoise, carefully wired Tom’s cracked shell back together, sealing the repairs with a special glue to protect the injury and support healing. Despite the slow recovery process typical of shell injuries, Tom has shown remarkable improvement just weeks after the procedure, appearing healthy and eating well.

The vet also observed markings on Tom’s shell that might be indicative of bite marks, possibly from a fox that had picked him up but later abandoned him in the road. To prevent further incidents, Tom has now been securely relocated to a new, fox-proof enclosure with a roof, where he remains alongside his five tortoise companions.

Andrew stated, “This was an unusual case for our team, but we are pleased with Tom’s progress. A tortoise’s shell is a strong structure comprised of bone and keratin, and while it heals slowly when damaged, the repairs are stable. We remain hopeful for Tom’s full recovery and wish him, his friends, and their owners all the best.”

The warm summer months are known to increase tortoise activity, particularly among males seeking mates. The Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) reported receiving four escaped tortoises in a single day this summer, highlighting that between 20 and 30 tortoise escapes or losses are handled annually, often during warmer periods.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne advised owners that tortoises can be surprisingly adept climbers and escape artists. He recommends regular inspection of fences, boundaries, and roofs, and suggests considering microchipping to aid in recovery if pets go missing.