SWNS_PLASTERED_TORTOISE_03

Norma the Tortoise. See SWNS story SWTORT; A traumatised tortoise has been left in plastercast after being savaged – by a RAT. Shell-shocked Norma was hibernating when the rodent pounced and her owner found her covered in blood with her front legs “eaten down to the bone”. Her injuries were so bad vets were close to putting the 35-year-old tortoise down. But Norma is now making a slow recovery after both her front legs were put in plaster to allow her limbs to heal. Vet Tom Felton said: “Rats will chance their luck especially with an animal that can’t fight back, and a hibernating tortoise is easy prey.