Humpty, the tortoise, has successful surgery after cracking shell

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 13) - A tortoise named Humpty recently fell from a wall, cracking his shell. Veterinarians in San Diego performed surgery on the large tortoise with  products used by humans. 

A good Samaritan said a neighbor’s dog chased the tortoise, which fell from a 10-foot wall onto its back, breaking its shell in three spaces. The County of San Diego Animal Services brought the 70-pound tortoise to a veterinarian who specialized in reptiles.

The veterinarian drilled screws into the shell, and then tied it together for stability. The cracks were covered up with the same material used in dentures, which also should seal the cracks.  The surgery, which cost several thousand dollars, was paid for through a donor-driven initiative, called the Spirit Fund. 

Animal Services named the tortoise, Humpty, and expect it to have promising recovery.