NJ Press:Bold move by iguana sends police into action

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Posted by Desiree on June 14, 2002 at 01:34:15:

http://www.bergen.com/page.php?level_3_id=7&page=3912993

Bold move by iguana sends police into action
Wednesday, June 12, 2002

By LESLIE KOREN
Staff Writer

Missing: 4-foot-long, 13-year-old companion. Responds to the name Elliott.

If found, please call the Rochelle Park police, who searched a nearby baseball field for the missing iguana Tuesday afternoon, with no luck.

"He busted out of his cage," said the pet's 19-year-old owner, Ryan Dreschniol.

Despite weights placed atop his glass abode, Elliott boldly bolted Saturday afternoon, while Dreschniol's family was outside the house.

Ryan had gone down to the basement and found the empty cage, his pet of 13 years on the floor. Hesitant to grab the large lizard without protection - he was bare-chested at the time - Ryan ran upstairs for a shirt. When he returned, Elliott was gone.

This is not the first time the orange and green iguana has gone on the lam, although in earlier escapes he left a trail in his wake. This time, no stuffed animals were crushed, no paper was torn, no iguana waste was left behind.

The only clue to his possible whereabouts: an open sliding-glass door.

Just in case someone had reported an iguana sighting, Ryan's mother, Karen, called police on Tuesday.

The official report was not hopeful: "Resident requested assistance locating lost iguana. Patrol assisted. Iguana not located."

Family members were concerned for Elliott's safety. He is much older than the average green iguana, which ordinarily lives only eight or 10 years. He only recently had a cast removed from one leg, which was broken in a fall.

Elliott is also not used to fending for himself. His usual diet consists of lettuce and fruits, provided by his owners, and it has served him well - he grew from 7 inches to a hearty 53.

Karen Dreschniol was somewhat embarrassed by the attention, which included the arrival of four police cars and interviews with her TheimAvenue neighbors.

"I wasn't meaning for police to put out an APB on an iguana," she said.

Still, she hopes he returns soon.

"It's not easy for a 4-foot iguana to hide," her son said. "I don't know where the heck he could be."

Anyone with information about Elliott's whereabouts is asked to call the Rochelle Park Police Department at (201) 843-1515.

Bold move by iguana sends police into action

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: http://www.bergen.com/page.php?level_3_id=7&page=3912993 : Bold move by iguana sends police into action : Wednesday, June 12, 2002 : By LESLIE KOREN : Staff Writer : : Missing: 4-foot-long, 13-year-old companion. Responds to the name Elliott. : If found, please call the Rochelle Park police, who searched a nearby baseball field for the missing iguana Tuesday afternoon, with no luck. : "He busted out of his cage," said the pet's 19-year-old owner, Ryan Dreschniol. : Despite weights placed atop his glass abode, Elliott boldly bolted Saturday afternoon, while Dreschniol's family was outside the house. : Ryan had gone down to the basement and found the empty cage, his pet of 13 years on the floor. Hesitant to grab the large lizard without protection - he was bare-chested at the time - Ryan ran upstairs for a shirt. When he returned, Elliott was gone. : This is not the first time the orange and green iguana has gone on the lam, although in earlier escapes he left a trail in his wake. This time, no stuffed animals were crushed, no paper was torn, no iguana waste was left behind. : The only clue to his possible whereabouts: an open sliding-glass door. : Just in case someone had reported an iguana sighting, Ryan's mother, Karen, called police on Tuesday. : The official report was not hopeful: "Resident requested assistance locating lost iguana. Patrol assisted. Iguana not located." : Family members were concerned for Elliott's safety. He is much older than the average green iguana, which ordinarily lives only eight or 10 years. He only recently had a cast removed from one leg, which was broken in a fall. : Elliott is also not used to fending for himself. His usual diet consists of lettuce and fruits, provided by his owners, and it has served him well - he grew from 7 inches to a hearty 53. : Karen Dreschniol was somewhat embarrassed by the attention, which included the arrival of four police cars and interviews with her TheimAvenue neighbors. : "I wasn't meaning for police to put out an APB on an iguana," she said. : Still, she hopes he returns soon. : "It's not easy for a 4-foot iguana to hide," her son said. "I don't know where the heck he could be." : Anyone with information about Elliott's whereabouts is asked to call the Rochelle Park Police Department at (201) 843-1515.

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