Missing tortoise returned to family

PALMETTO BAY, Fla. (WSVN) -- A large tortoise is back with its owner after it went missing for weeks.

Legacy, the missing tortoise, is back home after an officer located its family. "Legacy is back; I'm delighted," said Sharon Haxton.

It was a very happy homecoming for the Haxton family after they were reunited with their pet at their home on Saturday. "Thank you to Fish and Wildlife, thank you to the Pinecrest Police," said Sharon Haxton. "Thank you to everyone that had him. Thank you for taking care of him and bringing him back safely."

The 90-pound tortoise went missing for nearly two weeks, when a Pinecrest police officer spotted him just a mile away from home. "We got a call from Pinecrest PD, actually," said Officer Yanez of Florida Fish and Wildlife. "One of our officers met him at the station and went to go pick him up and then we took him to some guy's house, and he just watched over him just in case someone was looking for him. I guess the guy saw it on the news and everything worked out perfect."

Legacy has been a part of the Haxton family since Hurricane Andrew. This land tortoise is bit of a celebrity in the neighborhood, as students who attend an elementary school nearby visit him all the time.

Days after his disappearance, the Haxton family pleaded for his return. "If somebody took him, I just wished that they would bring him back," said Shirley Haxton. "He's been a family member for 20 years."

"I'm feeling kind of sad that the turtle I basically grew up with is gone," said Jacob Haxton.

Late Friday night, a woman rescued a tortoise nearby, and the Haxtons' rushed to her home. "That's not Legacy," said Sharon Haxton.

Thanks to the Pinecrest police officer, the Haxtons are thankful their family pet is back home where he belongs, and Sharon can take down her "missing tortoise" sign. "No more missing, back home, no more missing."

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