SAN JOSE, California – A decades-old pet tortoise, who loves children and would let toddlers ride on his back inside his garden, was viciously attacked over the weekend.
On Saturday, around 11:30 AM, Officers responded to the 500 block of Massar Avenue on the report of a msn acting erratically and destroying property in the Play ‘N’ Learn preschool. Crisis Intervention trained Officers located the suspect as he fled from the scene and arrested him.
Police say the suspect, George Robles, 40, caused over $1800 of damage to the building and children’s play equipment. While on scene, cops discovered that the tortoise, named Michelangelo, had been stabbed with a piece of wood through his outer shell and suffered other serious injuries.
Officials also said the scumbag suspect broke light bulbs on him.
While in custody, the suspect continued acting erratically. He is listed as homeless in San Jose. He was placed on a 72-hour emergency mental health evaluation, he is also being charged with felony vandalism and animal abuse.
“Abuse of a defenseless animal is intolerable and must be addressed,” said acting Chief of Police Dave Tindall. “ This underscores the need for continued collaboration with our mental health professionals. I am thankful for our Officers crisis intervention training which resulted in a safe arrest for all those involved.”
“This is a brutal attack on something that can’t defend himself,” Dr. Tal Solomon of Archvet Animal Hospital told KPIX. “He can’t even run away. I’ve been doing this for almost 11 years now and this is a first for me.”
“The kids love him,” said preschool teacher Brooke Lariz. “They get so excited … He loves to be around the kids, he’s just a happy little tortoise,” Lariz added then quickly corrected herself because Michelangelo is not that little. He weighs about 70 pounds and is about two feet long.
Dr. Solomon says he is hopeful the animal will make a full recovery.
