UPDATE (July 27, 1 p.m.): The owner of missing 40-year-old tortoise Lou said her beloved pet was found safe and is back home.
Jessica Comfort told ABC 10News that someone brought Lou to her front yard on Monday, but that person left before she could talk to them.
Comfort said her tortoise did not have any visible injuries and is doing well.
Comfort is working to schedule Lou a visit to the vet as soon as possible.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A woman in Santee desperately looking for her nearly 40-year-old tortoise says she's been able to rescue other reptiles during the search.
The Texas and California tortoise mix, named Lou, weighs about 20 pounds and is slightly bigger than the size of a dinner plate. Jessica Comfort says he's been missing for two weeks.
"The night before he went missing, we had a water main break," says Comfort. "With the water shooting up over the roof, we had to get an emergency plumber and back some foliage, and we left the gate open, unfortunately."
Comfort says she's been searching for the animal ever since. Signs have been posted around her Santee neighborhood and surrounding areas.
"The search has been wild and crazy," Comfort said.
Lou hasn't shown up yet, but Comfort says she was able to rescue three other animals during her search. The animals included a small turtle, a Reed Foot tortoise that needed medical attention, and a Sulcata Tortoise named Rocky. Rocky will be reunited with his family very soon.
Comfort has been working with the San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society to ensure all of the found animals are safe. She hopes her decade's old friend, Lou, will show up soon.
If anyone believes they have seen Lou, you can reach out to Jessica Comfort via Facebook.
