UK:Iguana-Throwing UK Woman Convicted

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Posted by Desiree on February 25, 2002 at 18:01:07:

Iguana-Throwing UK Woman Convicted
Mon Feb 25, 3:09 PM ET
By AUDREY WOODS, Associated Press Writer

LONDON (AP) - A woman who threw her pet iguana at a policeman was convicted Monday of inflicting unnecessary suffering on the lizard but was permitted to keep him.

Susan Wallace, 47, had denied animal cruelty and assault, but admitted damaging a window during a fracas Dec. 1 at The Anchor pub on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England.

The three-foot iguana, apparently recovered, spent Monday at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court in Newport, reclining in a tank as testimony unfolded.

Witnesses said Wallace � known locally as the Lizard Lady � was asked to leave the pub after putting the creature, named Igwig, on the shoulders and heads of fellow drinkers.

"The first thing I knew was when one or two of the girls screamed and ran up to the other end of the bar," testified pub doorman John Rosenthal. He said they pointed at Wallace, who had the animal on her shoulder.

The doorman said he twice asked Wallace to leave, and that she threw the iguana at him twice � and kicked him.

"I was startled, but I don't lose my calm easily," Rosenthal said.

Wallace then went to the police station at nearby Cowes where she became abusive to officer David Harry and threw the iguana at him. It missed and hit a filing cabinet, falling to the floor.

"She was extremely drunk," the policeman testified.

Fellow officer Richard van Arendonk told the court Wallace threw the animal twice inside the police station.

Veterinary surgeon David Beckingham, called as an expert witness, said throwing the iguana could cause it injury and unnecessary suffering.

Its color was brown when he examined it a few days after the incident, which suggested it was unhappy, Beckingham said. He agreed with Wallace's defense lawyer, however, that this could be because it was missing its owner.

Magistrate Sally Crocker indicated Igwig would not be taken from Wallace, who later described her fondness for her pet.

"We sleep together, I roll it up in a towel, I place him at the end of my bed, he crawls out and ends up on my chest at 6 a.m."

Wallace was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the iguana and one count of assault. Sentencing was set for April 2.

The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison, a fine of up to $7,150, a ban on keeping animals � or all three.

Iguana-Throwing UK Woman Convicted

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UK Press:Iguana cruelty victim in court Desiree 02/25/02 (0)
UK:...owner of Igwig the Iguana, is seen at Newport Magistrates Court... Desiree 02/25/02 (0)
UK:Igwig the Iguana arrives at Newport Magistrates Court ... Desiree 02/25/02 (0)

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: Iguana-Throwing UK Woman Convicted : Mon Feb 25, 3:09 PM ET : By AUDREY WOODS, Associated Press Writer : LONDON (AP) - A woman who threw her pet iguana at a policeman was convicted Monday of inflicting unnecessary suffering on the lizard but was permitted to keep him. : Susan Wallace, 47, had denied animal cruelty and assault, but admitted damaging a window during a fracas Dec. 1 at The Anchor pub on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. : The three-foot iguana, apparently recovered, spent Monday at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court in Newport, reclining in a tank as testimony unfolded. : Witnesses said Wallace � known locally as the Lizard Lady � was asked to leave the pub after putting the creature, named Igwig, on the shoulders and heads of fellow drinkers. : "The first thing I knew was when one or two of the girls screamed and ran up to the other end of the bar," testified pub doorman John Rosenthal. He said they pointed at Wallace, who had the animal on her shoulder. : The doorman said he twice asked Wallace to leave, and that she threw the iguana at him twice � and kicked him. : "I was startled, but I don't lose my calm easily," Rosenthal said. : Wallace then went to the police station at nearby Cowes where she became abusive to officer David Harry and threw the iguana at him. It missed and hit a filing cabinet, falling to the floor. : "She was extremely drunk," the policeman testified. : Fellow officer Richard van Arendonk told the court Wallace threw the animal twice inside the police station. : Veterinary surgeon David Beckingham, called as an expert witness, said throwing the iguana could cause it injury and unnecessary suffering. : Its color was brown when he examined it a few days after the incident, which suggested it was unhappy, Beckingham said. He agreed with Wallace's defense lawyer, however, that this could be because it was missing its owner. : Magistrate Sally Crocker indicated Igwig would not be taken from Wallace, who later described her fondness for her pet. : "We sleep together, I roll it up in a towel, I place him at the end of my bed, he crawls out and ends up on my chest at 6 a.m." : Wallace was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the iguana and one count of assault. Sentencing was set for April 2. : The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison, a fine of up to $7,150, a ban on keeping animals � or all three.

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