PAINESVILLE, Ohio (AP) – An iguana injured when a man pulled the lizard from under his shirt and threw it at an Ohio restaurant manager remains in protective custody as a humane society awaits court permission to provide medical treatment.
WEWS-TV reports the Lake County Humane Society outside Cleveland says the iguana named “Copper” by police has a broken leg, metabolic bone disease and other ailments and needs surgery costing around $1,600.
Authorities say the iguana’s owner was crouched in a booth at a Perkins Restaurant in Painesville on April 16 when he threw a menu at a waitress and then tossed the lizard at the manager when he intervened. Painesville is roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Cleveland.
The iguana’s 49-year-old owner has been charged with cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct.
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Information from: WEWS-TV, http://www.newsnet5.com
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