Bob, an African spurred tortoise, was in guarded condition Saturday after thieves stole him July 7 and tried to cut his neck and slice his legs from his shell, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

There is a $3,500 reward and Ventura police said they are searching for three people, who could face felony charges of theft and torture of an endangered species.

Dorothy and Bill Sullivan of Ventura have had Bob for 10 years, and he is especially loved by their 6-year-old autistic son William, said Jeanie Vaughan of Turtle Dreams rehabilitation center in Montecito. The Sullivans took Bob to Turtle Dreams after finding him brutalized behind a nearby apartment building.

William, whose autism makes him wary of talking to people, freely chatted with 25-year-old Bob, whose species is known to grunt, whistle and croak in response.

"Now he's scared to death that not only has he lost his friend, but that whoever did this are going to come after him too," Vaughan said.