SSPCA rescue bearded dragon found on Edinburgh bus

AN animal welfare charity is caring for a bearded dragon which was found on a bus.

Blakey the bearded dragon was left on a bus in Lothian. Picture: SSPCA

A passenger found the reptile inside a plastic pet carrier in a large carrier bag on a number 20 Lothian Bus, which runs from the Slateford area of Edinburgh to Ratho.

It is not known if he was abandoned or simply forgotten.

He is now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where staff have named him Blakey after the character from On the Buses.

Animal rescue officer Fiona Thorburn said: “A passenger found Blakey inside a plastic pet carrier within a large carrier bag and alerted the driver.

“At this stage we can’t say for sure whether Blakey has been abandoned.

“Someone could have been transporting him and forgotten him but this seems unlikely and as far as we are aware no-one has been in touch with Lothian Buses looking for him.

“We understand Lothian Buses will be reviewing CCTV footage. In the meantime we would ask anyone who recognises Blakey and knows who might have owned him to contact us.”

She added: “Blakey is in good condition and is now receiving the care he needs with us. If he has been abandoned we will soon be looking to find him a loving new home.”

It is not the first time the charity has rescued a creature left on a Lothian Bus.

Last year they took in a kitten who they named Ticket and in 2013 a guinea pig was left behind.