NB Press: Iguanas called loving pets, bad weapons

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on March 21, 2002 at 09:27:18:

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD (Nebraska) 05 March 02 Asked and Answered: Iguanas called loving pets, bad weapons (Corey Ross)
A London woman last week was convicted of assault and inflicting unnecessary suffering on her pet iguana after repeatedly throwing the 3-foot lizard at a police officer and an employee at a pub.
Susan Wallace, a 47-year-old known as "the Lizard Lady" among locals, will be sentenced next month. She faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a fine of up to $7,150 and a ban from owning reptiles.
The case left Asked and Answered with more questions than you can throw a lizard at. Roxie Gould, part owner of the family-owned the Pet Exchange exotic pet store in Benson, was more than happy to field them.
Q. How effective of a weapon would an iguana make?
A. Little to none. Please. The only way it's going to attack is if it's coerced into that type of behavior.
Q. How would you defend yourself if someone attacked you with an iguana?
A. I'd just grab it by the back of the neck.
Q. Do iguanas like to be thrown?
A. Not at all. They're pretty much land lovers. At least, I don't see any wings on them.
Q. Why do people get iguanas as pets?
A. They're not ever really mean, especially if you raise them from a baby and can work with them. I have seen some adults who have been very, very mean, but most aren't. If you raise them right, they can be just like having a kitten.
Q. Do you sell many of them?
A. We generally purchase 15 to 20 at one time. We sell them left and right. They're very, very popular.
Q. How much do they cost?
A. Spiny-tail iguanas are very, very expensive. Around $300. But green iguanas, the small ones, are only around $9.99.
Q. Do iguanas have an attitude?
A. They pretty much mimic any other pet behavior if they've been raised correctly. They can be very loving. They can understand commands. Believe it or not, reptiles are very intelligent. I have a bearded dragon, and he's just wonderful. He loves me, cuddles me, hugs me.
Q. When they found Igwig, the London iguana, it was brown. Authorities said it may have been depressed because it missed its owner. Do iguanas change colors like chameleons?
A. No, he was probably dehydrated. They're normally a bright and vibrant green.
Q. What do they eat?
A. We feed them a variation of green-leaf lettuce, carrots, broccoli, fruits. And crickets.
Q. Any beer? Just asking, since Igwig was found hanging out in a bar.
A. No beer. I don't know if they'd like beer or not.

Iguanas called loving pets, bad weapons

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Re: NB Press: Iguanas called loving pets, bad weapons Samcin 03/21/02 (0)
Holy cripes, why don't people get a clue here. Linda 03/21/02 (0)
OY some people should learn before selling pets Christy 03/21/02 (1)
- brocli, Crickets DOUBLE UGH nm Christy 03/21/02 (0)

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: OMAHA WORLD-HERALD (Nebraska) 05 March 02 Asked and Answered: Iguanas called loving pets, bad weapons (Corey Ross) : A London woman last week was convicted of assault and inflicting unnecessary suffering on her pet iguana after repeatedly throwing the 3-foot lizard at a police officer and an employee at a pub. : Susan Wallace, a 47-year-old known as "the Lizard Lady" among locals, will be sentenced next month. She faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a fine of up to $7,150 and a ban from owning reptiles. : The case left Asked and Answered with more questions than you can throw a lizard at. Roxie Gould, part owner of the family-owned the Pet Exchange exotic pet store in Benson, was more than happy to field them. : Q. How effective of a weapon would an iguana make? : A. Little to none. Please. The only way it's going to attack is if it's coerced into that type of behavior. : Q. How would you defend yourself if someone attacked you with an iguana? : A. I'd just grab it by the back of the neck. : Q. Do iguanas like to be thrown? : A. Not at all. They're pretty much land lovers. At least, I don't see any wings on them. : Q. Why do people get iguanas as pets? : A. They're not ever really mean, especially if you raise them from a baby and can work with them. I have seen some adults who have been very, very mean, but most aren't. If you raise them right, they can be just like having a kitten. : Q. Do you sell many of them? : A. We generally purchase 15 to 20 at one time. We sell them left and right. They're very, very popular. : Q. How much do they cost? : A. Spiny-tail iguanas are very, very expensive. Around $300. But green iguanas, the small ones, are only around $9.99. : Q. Do iguanas have an attitude? : A. They pretty much mimic any other pet behavior if they've been raised correctly. They can be very loving. They can understand commands. Believe it or not, reptiles are very intelligent. I have a bearded dragon, and he's just wonderful. He loves me, cuddles me, hugs me. : Q. When they found Igwig, the London iguana, it was brown. Authorities said it may have been depressed because it missed its owner. Do iguanas change colors like chameleons? : A. No, he was probably dehydrated. They're normally a bright and vibrant green. : Q. What do they eat? : A. We feed them a variation of green-leaf lettuce, carrots, broccoli, fruits. And crickets. : Q. Any beer? Just asking, since Igwig was found hanging out in a bar. : A. No beer. I don't know if they'd like beer or not. :

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