Horsham man’s surprise as ‘missing’ tortoise returns ... after five months

The tortoise - named Dave - suddenly made an appearance back in the garden of owner Mike Killner’s Horsham home on Friday.

Stunned Mike couldn’t believe his eyes when seven-year-old Dave dug himself out of the ground after hibernating for months buried beneath the earth.

“He needed a good bath and a slap up meal but generally he was looking in pretty good shape.

“It was good to seem him again after so long,” said Mike.

When he first disappeared Mike posted a ‘missing’ notice on a Horsham lost-and-found pets social media page.

“I searched everywhere for him,” said Mike. “We normally bring him inside when it gets cold.

“I searched high and low but couldn’t find him. I thought a fox might have got him.

“Then last Friday, it was sunny and I went out into the garden and he literally dug himself out of the ground.

“It’s really nice to have him back. But I thought ‘bloody hell, mate, you have been buried in there for this long’.”

Dave is now safely back with his fellow tortoise - Kate, who is also seven years old - and enjoying his favourite food: red peppers, cucumber and dandelions.

And he’s become something of a celebrity after Mike revealed Dave’s surprise return on social media.

Scores of people wrote of their relief that Dave had returned safely. Many posted: “Fantastic news!” and “So glad he’s safe!”

But Mike isn’t taking any chances of losing Dave again. “He is getting a Bluetooth tracker come autumn,” he said.

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