A man has avoided jail after he drunkenly attacked a pet turtle at a California nursery.
The tortoise – a 70-year-old African sulcata named Michelangelo – was found bleeding after being stabbed with six-inch shards from a wooden garden gate post.
A rake handle had been thrust between the animal’s head and leg and broken glass laid on its back.
George Robles, 42, was sentenced Friday after pleading no contest to charges of animal abuse, commercial burglary and vandalism, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
He’s also been linked to other East San Jose preschool break-ins and stole thousands of dollars worth of items in the days before and after the January attack of last year.
Robles was sentenced to two years probation and mandatory mental health and substance abuse treatment. He was also banned from having animals for 10 years.
The defendant’s attorney said his behavior towards the turtle was the result of excessive intoxication rather than animal cruelty.
The turtle required surgery after the attack and the vet who performed the operation said she was “doing very well”.
