Tortoises Found After Animal Rescue Mix-Up

A dozen desert tortoises discovered missing Wednesday from a locked backyard were recovered Friday after an apparent misunderstanding with a local animal rescue center, the tortoises’ caretaker said.

The pets were thought to have been stolen in the 800 block of 14th Street.

Con Bliss, owner Allison Naito’s boyfriend, who helps care for the tortoises, said he found them at a local rescue center Friday morning. Apparently, the rescue center picked up the tortoises after an anonymous call had reported them as abandoned.