Cruelty to an animal at a SciFi Con

Ancalime

Hi guys - I'm a trying to find a person who is from Dublin - her name is Gronia Gillespie - I thought you guys would be the most likely people to know her (possibly). I know this is going to sound funny, but it really isn't, but this Gronia brought an iguana to the Starfury Convention last weekend (in Heathrow, London) which she carried on her shoulder or dragged around on a leash the whole weekend, in a smoky atmosphere (most reptiles need warmth and a controlled environment), to the parties, where she would let people feed it beer, and by the end of the weekend the poor animal had died. She then buried it in a flower bed in front of the hotel and stuck a spoon in the soil to mark the "grave". Before it died, it would sleep in a box overnight, and it might even have frozen to death or something.

This "sick" woman apparently keeps more animals (cats, guinea pigs and 2 more iguanas), at least so she told us herself. I personally believe she should not EVER be allowed to inflict such cruelty and death on animals again, and should be banned from keeping animals. I have already contacted the ISPCA and DSPCA to report her. I would like to speak to her herself, however, so if anyone has an e-mail address (or any other details) please contact me privately.

I hope people here agree with me that this incident of cruelty is not right and understand that I am trying to track this person down in order to save any animals from having more harm done to them by her.

Were any of the people in this forum at the Starfury Con in London Heathrow by the way?

Regards,
Ancalime

Roughty

That is sick and I am happy that you reported her to the ISPCA and the DSPCA. But I am sorry to say that I do not have any info on that person.:eek:

Cerberus

Wasn't there, but I hope you catch the bitch. Put her on a leash for a while. Unneccessary cruelty to animals should be getting a bit beyond us in this day and age.
Have you tried pet shops in Dublin? I would imagine there isn't that many people selling iguanas in Dublin? Have you tried the 01 phone books or maybe eircells directory service for mobiles. You never know...she might be listed. By the way, is "Gronia" the name you meant to write? Grainne is the right spelling if your looking up names.

Ancalime

Thanks for all the info - and of course the correct spelling of her name helps, thanks!

And just to say, according to her, she brought in the iguana illegally on a plane from somewhere she had been on holiday. Just stuffed it down the front of her shirt. That was the same way she brought it over on the plane to the convention in London from Dublin.

I haven't heard back yet from the ISPCA and DSPCA, but I am sure they are busy anyway and will be dealing with this as soon as they can.

I'm glad there are so many people that care! Thanks for the support guys.

Anubis

Jesus, that is disgusting.
I know of a shop beside Kilmanham Jail that specialises in Tropical animals. Most owners of exotic pets go there to get food and such. It's called "Daves Trop Shop", and it's possible that they would know something.
Good Luck
Chris

Shinji

It may well be an idea to contact the organisers of Starfury and ask them for help in tracking down this person. Although they probably can't give you her details directly, due to the Data Protection Act, they may be able to assist you in other ways.

Speaking as someone who is involved in organising and running a convention in the UK, I'm glad I've never seen anything like this happen at any event I've been involved with, and I know that most convention organisers would be horrified to find something like this going on, and only too pleased to assist in dealing with the perpetrator.

Ancalime

Thanks again for your help guys. checking out the pet shop sounds like an idea.

Re. asking the starfury organisers, I have done that, but she didn't actually register in advance, she just turned up on the day and bought a reg, so all they got is her name anyway. And yeah, the Data Protection Act of course.

Will keep plugging away. Anymore info, if you guys have some, would be appreciated.

Khynareth

There is also a small tropical pet shop around Christchurch. The bloke is very nice and he knows every single person he sells animals to. I think he would be willing to help.