Largo, FL - A Largo man is celebrating the return of his beloved pet tortoise but a disagreement with the animal sanctuary that housed her has sparked a potential legal battle.
Merrick Westlund, a charter boat fishing captain, reported his 18-year-old African sulcata tortoise missing nearly a month ago.
After searching his neighborhood and posting online, a neighbor informed him that a nearby wildlife sanctuary might have Shelby.
Elated, Westlund contacted Vernon Yates, owner of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Seminole.
While Yates confirmed he had the tortoise, his response left Westlund fuming. Yates demanded a hefty sum – over $1,000 – to return Shelby.
Westlund sought help from authorities, but the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office classified the case as a civil matter.
Westlund eventually paid $975 to reclaim his pet.
The crux of the dispute lies in Yates' fees. Yates justifies his charges as boarding costs, comparable to animal shelters.
The SPCA, however, emphasizes efforts to reunite lost pets with their owners before considering adoption fees. Unlike Yates, the SPCA utilizes various online and local resources to locate owners.
Yates defends his actions, stating the responsibility falls on the owner to find their lost pet.
He maintains his $200 pick-up fee and $25 daily boarding rate are standard.
Westlund, however, argues Yates made no attempt to find him and plans to sue to recoup his money.
Legal experts believe Westlund has a case, considering Florida law classifies pets as property.
Attorney Charles Gallagher questions the court enforcing Yates' fees, particularly given his lack of effort in locating the owner.
While Shelby happily munches on grass at home, Westlund focuses on strengthening her enclosure to prevent future escapes.
This ordeal underscores the emotional bond between pet owners and their animals, a value far exceeding any monetary sum.
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