Free Hector!
Donation protected
Help! Our box turtle Hector is a political prisoner!
On 22 June, my wife arrived at Gatwick airport, only to be frog-marched off of the plane by four security guards into a side room and questioned and berated and accused for hours.
Her crime? Attempting to bring her turtle into the United Kingdom from the United States, via a Canadian airline.
Had she tried to smuggle this exotic animal, we could have understood; wildlife smuggling is a £10 billion a year problem.
We also don't believe most wildlife smugglers attempt to commit their crime by setting the animal on their lap as a carry-on in a bright pink turtle carrier. They also don't present paperwork from US vets stating that a) the animal is healthy and proper to travel or b) certify that it is a comfort animal or c) that we have kept Hector as a pet for 29 years.
The political part comes from government officials from three countries pointing fingers at each other, claiming, "It's not our problem."
The bottom line is Hector is still at Gatwick Airport (well-cared for, by the way) going on the third month, at £200 per month with no end in site.
We don't know what the governments will decide, but we do know it will cost money - we're already into £600. We also need to buy a terrarium for Hector if or when she is returned to us.
One last thing: the irony of this situation is that we came by Hector when my wife rescued her from cruel students who were allowing Hector to walk off the edge of a table onto the floor. She picked her up without a word, and has cared for her ever since.
It would mean the world to us if you would help pay for our turtle to be released.
On 22 June, my wife arrived at Gatwick airport, only to be frog-marched off of the plane by four security guards into a side room and questioned and berated and accused for hours.
Her crime? Attempting to bring her turtle into the United Kingdom from the United States, via a Canadian airline.
Had she tried to smuggle this exotic animal, we could have understood; wildlife smuggling is a £10 billion a year problem.
We also don't believe most wildlife smugglers attempt to commit their crime by setting the animal on their lap as a carry-on in a bright pink turtle carrier. They also don't present paperwork from US vets stating that a) the animal is healthy and proper to travel or b) certify that it is a comfort animal or c) that we have kept Hector as a pet for 29 years.
The political part comes from government officials from three countries pointing fingers at each other, claiming, "It's not our problem."
The bottom line is Hector is still at Gatwick Airport (well-cared for, by the way) going on the third month, at £200 per month with no end in site.
We don't know what the governments will decide, but we do know it will cost money - we're already into £600. We also need to buy a terrarium for Hector if or when she is returned to us.
One last thing: the irony of this situation is that we came by Hector when my wife rescued her from cruel students who were allowing Hector to walk off the edge of a table onto the floor. She picked her up without a word, and has cared for her ever since.
It would mean the world to us if you would help pay for our turtle to be released.
Organizer
Tim Llewellyn Ihssen
Organizer
