Row breaks out over ownership of bearded dragon found on Milton Keynes footpath

The Citizen described ten days ago how a surprised member of the public came across a large, 50cm long bearded dragon on a path at Pennylands.

He handed him in to the RSPCA, who launched an appeal to find the owner.

Mum of three Lidzia Korneila saw the story and was over the moon. For her tame family pet, Władek, had slipped out of the door of her Pennylands home in August and has not been since since.

"They recognised Wladek from the RSPCA photo. He has a slight concave on his nose from an old injury and one curly toe. It was him, without a doubt," said friend of the family Lorna Stewart.

"They sent an email to the RSPCA showing photos of their children with Wladek. They'd had him for five years so he really was part of the family and used to roam free around the house."

But the days progressed and they heard nothing about when they could see or collect their pet, said Lorna.

"They kept getting passed from person to person. Then, last week, they were suddenly told Wladek had been rehomed. They were devastated," said Lorna.

"It seems the RSPCA didn't believe he was theirs. But they weren't even given the chance to see him and check. It seems crazy - and a little strange that he was rehomed so quickly by the RSPCA."

"They said it wasn't possible that a bearded dragon could survive so long after escaping in August. But the family know Wladek, and they say it is entirely possible.

"Firstly, he disappeared in the height of summer, when it was hot and there were plenty of bugs around to eat. Secondly, and unusually, he was not a dragon that like being too warm. He preferred roaming about the house to being in his vivarium and he would often find a cool spot in a corner.

"Thirdly, he was found on Pennylands, where Lidzia and her family live. How many large missing bearded dragons are there on Pennylands? It's too much of a co-incidence for it not to be Wladek."

The Citizen contacted the RSPCA on the family's behalf, again sending pictures of Wladek that show an uncanny similarity to the found dragon. We asked if Lidzia and her husband could see the dragon to confirm whether or not he was their pet.

But a spokesperson for the charity refused to budge.

She said: "It’s always heartbreaking to hear that someone’s lost their pet. But our experts have double-checked and the bearded dragon which was recently discovered does not resemble the description given to us of the beardie who was lost in August, who had some distinctive features. We are therefore satisfied that they are not the same animal."

She added: "Also the bearded dragon in our care was in a very good condition and so we do not think the animal had been outside for two months as these animals are native to Australia so would have needed a higher-temperature environment, shelter and an appropriate diet in order to stay healthy.

"If a bearded dragon becomes too cold they may be unable to feed or move normally and their immune system will not work properly to fight disease, meaning the animal would likely become very ill."