Ross Bridge is a friendly neighborhood in Hoover, Alabama, but not so for a quiet tortoise named Fred, who has been living in the backyard of Jayden Cannon’s home for the past eight years without any complaints.
Well, there’s always someone who has to create drama, and last week, Jayden, 17, was sent a letter by the Ross Bridge Homeowners’ Association ordering Fred to vacate the community.
According to Al.com, there have never been any complaints against Fred, but the Sulcata tortoise, had been added to the list of unacceptable pets at Ross Bridge, but there’s more to this story. Jayden and his family have lived in the community for the last 13 years, and Jayden had wanted a pet tortoise after his brother had shown him photos.
And on Christmas 2015, Fred arrived. Since then Fred has become very friendly, although he is shy around strangers. And let’s face it; Fred isn’t annoying. It’s not like he barks at night. It’s not like he roams the neighborhood and scares or bites little children; Fred is just a big tortoise who has kept the family’s backyard mowed because he enjoys snacking on grass! In fact, he’s well liked by his neighbors, that is except for someone crabby who lodged a complaint.
Jayden is very upset that Fred is being told to leave, however the HOA states they banned tortoises and listed them as unapproved pets like ferrets and snakes. BUT … according to Jayden, those rules went in after Fred had already been a pet and his case should be “grandfathered.” And also let’s mention that other residents in the community have snakes and ferrets as pets.
Fred’s Instagram page, save_fredthetortoise, has created a Change.org petition to help pay legal fees if the HOA doesn’t change their policy for Fred. Jayden is selling Save Fred t-shirts to raise funds. Any money left over will be used to have a party for Ross Bridge residents who would like to meet Fred.
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