A FAMILY cruelly dumped a freshwater terrapin in the sea off Boscombe Pier on Saturday evening.

RSPCA inspectors are calling for anyone with information about the incident to come forward after the pet was thrown from a car at around 5.30pm.

The vehicle involved is thought to be a silver Mazda. Two adults and two children were inside the car, which was driven away after the terrapin was discarded.

A quick-thinking member of the public rescued the reptile from the sea and called the RSPCA.

Inspector Josephine Story said: “Releasing a freshwater reptile into the British sea at this time of year is a sure way of causing it to suffer.

“Sadly, we know that many terrapins have been dumped in public waterways when they become too large or difficult to care for.

“Anyone who may have information about who dumped this terrapin should contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Red-eared and yellow-bellied terrapins or ‘sliders’ are considered ‘invasive alien species’ under an EU regulation. As a result, there are now strict restrictions on the sale, breeding, keeping and transportation of these terrapins.

Nicola White, senior scientific officer for the RSPCA, said: “Terrapins need to be cared for properly in a set-up that mimics their natural environment as much as possible.

"Reptiles appear to have increased in popularity as pets and the number of related incidents dealt with by the RSPCA has risen in recent years too.

"As their popularity as pets increases, so does the number of calls we receive about them and we are experiencing widespread neglect of reptiles across the country.

“We discourage anyone from buying any pet on a whim, and strongly urge people to think carefully first before buying an exotic pet, so they know what is involved and how long it is likely to be for.

“The keeping, breeding and sale of red-eared terrapins or sliders, and subspecies, are also now subject to strict controls due to the potential danger they pose, as non-native species, to the natural environment.”

For more information about how to care for terrapins visit rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other/terrapin