Appeal after gecko stolen from exotic pet shop

The gecko, similar to this one, was born in January and was living in a temporary vivarium when it was taken

Humberside Police has confirmed it is searching for a lizard after it was taken from a Hull pet shop.

The gargoyle gecko, and its enclosure, went missing from The Exotics Hub on Friday 5 April.

CCTV footage from the shop showed a woman entering before leaving with a small vivarium.

Sarah Dixon, the owner of the store, said it was worth around £250 but the "welfare of the animal" was the most important issue.

Sarah Dixon said the gecko needed specific temperatures and food to grow and develop

Ms Dixon told the BBC that she noticed the animal had disappeared as she carried out a routine water and feeding check on the animals.

"This is only a baby that was born in January. The small container was a temporary measure and not a forever home.

"It has basic needs about temperature that can cause problems for how it grows and develops. They don't eat just anything, they need a complete diet that gives them all the nutrition they need," she added.

A fully-grown gargoyle gecko can reach up to 8in (20cm) in length and can live up to 20 years.

The species originates from the island of New Caledonia in the south Pacific.

"Annoyed and hurt"

Miss Dixon said incidents of theft from exotic pet shops were frequent in other parts of the country but this was the first time she had experienced an incident.

"I'm annoyed, upset and hurt. If someone really wants an animal they'll do everything they can to provide everything they need and I don't know if this person has done that."

She concluded: "Do the right thing and bring it back. I'm not bothered if you want to keep it, I don't care about the value, I just need to know the animal's welfare is being met."

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