14 DAY TRIAL // It's not often that officers can brag about having taken a tortoise in police custody. However, such incidents do occasionally happen, and, whenever they do, they end up making headlines.
Not to beat about the bush, media reports tell us that, not too long ago, police officers in the city of Alhambra in the US' region of Los Angeles County in California detained a tortoise they found wandering the streets of this urban area.
Information shared with the public says that the police officers set out to look for the tortoise after being alerted by phone that one such animal was cruising the streets of the city of Alhambra, probably looking for something to eat.
As detailed on the Alhambra Police Department's Facebook page, the tortoise was captured by two officers. By the looks of it, the animal put up quite a fight when approached, and even attempted to make a run for it. Luckily, the officers proved faster.
“The tortoise did try to make a run for it; but, our officers are pretty fast. Almost had a pursuit! It took two officers to take this guy into custody because it weighs about 150 pounds [69 kilograms] (and our cuffs . . . well not practical in this situation).”
“It has some distinctive markings. Please contact Alhambra Dispatch 626) 570-5151 to claim you animal (you can ask, but the car is not included),” reads a message posted by the Alhambra Police Department on Facebook on August 2.
After being found and detailed, the tortoise was taken to LA Co. Animal Care and Control – Downey. On Sunday, it was reunited with its owners. Unless it's busy plotting its next getaway, the animal is now probably chewing on leafy greens and trying to put its encounter with law enforcement officers behind it.
One can only hope that this turtle, which goes by the name of Clark, has learned its lesson and will not once again try to escape its home and go about exploring the city all by itself anytime soon. Should this happen, chances are that police officers will not be as lenient the second time around.
In case anyone was wondering, ongoing rules and regulations in the state of California say that people are allowed to keep tortoises like Clark as pets. Still, those who wish to welcome one such animal in their lives must make sure that they are big enough not to be accidentally flushed or swallowed by children, Metro informs.