Warning as iguana is stolen - UK Press Item

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Wes von Papine�u on March 27, 2000 at 04:36:09:

WOLVERHAMPTON EXPRESS AND STAR (UK) 25 March 00 Warning as iguana is stolen
A Tipton man is distraught after thieves stole his four-and-a-half-foot-long pet iguana, which experts say could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Jonah was taken from a purpose-built shed in 40-year-old Kevin Abbey's back garden. A reptile specialist from Dudley Zoo warned that iguanas needed tropical temperatures to survive and could cause serious injuries with their teeth, tail and claws.
The theft from the 40-year-old welder's Farm Road home was discovered by his son when he got up to do his paper round. It was the second night running the family had been burgled.
Mr Abbey's wife Julie believes the thieves returned after spotting the iguana during a raid the night before, in which various gardening equipment was taken from a second shed.
She said her husband been given the exotic creature as a present six years ago and kept it in a tank in a shed which he built himself.
"He's really upset - he treated it like a baby. We've informed all the pet shops as well as the police in case Jonah turns up," said Mrs Abbey. "I can't understand why anyone would want to take him. He's vicious, with needle teeth and can give a nasty scratch - my husband wears special elbow-length gloves to handle him."
They kept the green and black striped native South American under ultra-violet lighting at a constant temperature of 85F.
Graham Chilton, assistant head of reptiles at Dudley Zoo, said sexually mature male iguanas were aggressive and could be dangerous if approached. "They have sharp teeth and claws and use their tail to swipe at people. It will lose condition very quickly without constant high temperatures and could catch pneumonia if left outside," he warned.

Warning as iguana is stolen

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: WOLVERHAMPTON EXPRESS AND STAR (UK) 25 March 00 Warning as iguana is stolen : A Tipton man is distraught after thieves stole his four-and-a-half-foot-long pet iguana, which experts say could be dangerous in the wrong hands. : Jonah was taken from a purpose-built shed in 40-year-old Kevin Abbey's back garden. A reptile specialist from Dudley Zoo warned that iguanas needed tropical temperatures to survive and could cause serious injuries with their teeth, tail and claws. : The theft from the 40-year-old welder's Farm Road home was discovered by his son when he got up to do his paper round. It was the second night running the family had been burgled. : Mr Abbey's wife Julie believes the thieves returned after spotting the iguana during a raid the night before, in which various gardening equipment was taken from a second shed. : She said her husband been given the exotic creature as a present six years ago and kept it in a tank in a shed which he built himself. : "He's really upset - he treated it like a baby. We've informed all the pet shops as well as the police in case Jonah turns up," said Mrs Abbey. "I can't understand why anyone would want to take him. He's vicious, with needle teeth and can give a nasty scratch - my husband wears special elbow-length gloves to handle him." : They kept the green and black striped native South American under ultra-violet lighting at a constant temperature of 85F. : Graham Chilton, assistant head of reptiles at Dudley Zoo, said sexually mature male iguanas were aggressive and could be dangerous if approached. "They have sharp teeth and claws and use their tail to swipe at people. It will lose condition very quickly without constant high temperatures and could catch pneumonia if left outside," he warned. :

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]