Shell shock (From The Argus)

Shell shock

5:36pm Monday 19th April 2010 in Your Argus

With reference to Sussex County Cricket Club shooting a fox, I know from experience that foxes are not harmless, as suggested in your article (The Argus, April 13).

Last summer, having been out for the day, we returned to find our tortoise had had its back legs bitten off by a fox.

In spite of treatment by a specialist reptile vet, who amputated what was left of the legs and then fitted a ball to the rear underside of her shell, she still died. He also said he had treated several other tortoises who were victims of foxes.

I would advise all tortoise owners to put their pet somewhere safe at night and when they go out during the day.

L Pilbeam, St Andrews Road, Worthing