Woman Calls Police to Rescue Tortoise at Desert Dog Park: ‘Well, It Isn’t a Puppy, but Still Cute’

Apparently, dog parks aren’t just for pooches. 

On Monday in Arizona, police rescued a baby tortoise that had found its way into a local dog park. An Oro Valley officer quickly moved the innocent reptile to "a safe area nearby" sans canines.

“Well, It isn’t a puppy, but still cute,” the department said on Facebook. “I think [it’s] safe to say, dogs are our favorite.” 

Facebook users were thrilled that the slow-moving baby was saved. 

“This officer shows that being a decent human isn’t hard,” one person commented.

A tortoise owner chimed in about their pet reptile. 

“Tortoises are a lot like dogs,” she said. “He listens to me and cocks his head to the side when you sing him songs.” 

Arizona is home to two tortoise species: the Sonoran desert tortoise and the Mojave desert tortoise, as reported by Arizona Game and Fish. Both are herbivores and are protected by state laws. These laws strictly prohibit the harassment, hunting, or capture of these creatures.

Thinking of getting a pet tortoise? The state has some up for adoption. Wildlife officials have shared that many tortoises are surrendered to their department each year.