Butch is Back: Tortoise Returns to South Bay Home

Owners believe pet was likely stolen.

A 150-year-old family pet is back home in Cupertino after going missing for more than a month.

The desert tortoise named "Butch" was found Monday in the yard of his caretakers, Chuck and Penny Carle. He went missing from the yard in September.

The Carle family believed he was stolen because there is a chain link fence around the property.

Desert tortoises go into hibernation this time of year, and Butch immediately went to sleep after his return.

The tortoise was a gift to Chuck Carle's mother when she moved into the home in 1943.

When she passed away during the summer, her son and daughter-in-law took over care of the land turtle.

Penny Carle said the turtle's return was like an early holiday gift.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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