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Man arrested for pulling iguana out of his shirt and throwing it at a restaurant manager

The iguana is currently being treated by a vet

Lily Puckett
New York
Wednesday 17 April 2019 16:23 BST
Comments
Copper the Iguana.
Copper the Iguana.

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Police in Ohio arrested a man who allegedly attempted to use an iguana as a weapon.

A Facebook post from the Painesville Police described officers responding to a disorderly conduct complaint on April 16 at Perkins Restaurant, a local chain.

At the restaurant, an unnamed 49-year-old male “removed an iguana from his shirt and swung it around his head by its tail and then threw the iguana at the store manager.” It’s unclear what provoked the action.

According to the police’s Facebook post, the alleged iguana swinger was apprehended a few blocks away, where he resisted arrest. Per the same post, the suspect faces charges of Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest and Animal Cruelty.

The iguana, whom the police have named “Copper,” was released by the station to the Lake County Humane Society, where he’ll be taken to a veterinarian to be “checked for injuries.”

Neither the Lake County Humane Society nor the Painseville Police have responded to the Independent’s request for information on what would happen to Copper after his vet appointment. In the Facebook post’s comments, Ohio locals have chipped in with offers to house the iguana themselves, seemingly hoping for a bright ending for the swung reptile.

“As tragic as this is,” wrote one user, “it's a blessing for Copper."

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