Flesh eating lizard may harm children
Canadian Press
Monday, July 18, 2005
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GUELPH, Ont. -- A giant flesh-eating lizard is on the prowl in southwestern Ontario and police say it could pose a danger to children or small animals.
The nearly two-metre long, 24-kilogram Asian water monitor lizard -- named T-Rex -- has been on the loose in Guelph, Ont., since it escaped early Friday morning.
“I'd hate to see a three- or four-year-old go up to it out of curiosity and get chomped on,” Guelph police Sgt. Joe Hall said.
The reptile's owner, Fred MacPherson, found the gate to the lizard's backyard cage open and its rope-leash snapped.
MacPherson, 43, is legally allowed to own the lizard, but police said he may be liable if the lizard causes any damage while it is at large.
He reported the lizard's disappearance to the Guelph Humane Society immediately on Friday and then called to report it to police on Saturday.
The huge lizard is black with a white underbelly and a white neck. It is shaped like an alligator and has a snake-like tongue.
MacPherson said T-Rex would only attack a person if it was cornered.
“It would smack a kid with its tail,” he said. “If a kid put a hand near its mouth, it would bite.”
Asian water monitors are scavengers, eating anything they can find, dead or alive. MacPherson mostly feeds T-Rex fish and chicken gizzards.
Neighbour Geoff Martin, 20, who lives across the street from MacPherson, said he is a bit concerned for the safety of his cat.
“It's a little bit concerning, but that lizard is not usually too aggressive,” he said.
“If I had a little kid, I definitely wouldn't be letting it outside right now -- just to be safe,” he said.
Martin said he has seen the lizard loose before, chasing MacPherson's dog down the street.
The lizards are extremely fast on the ground and can swim underwater for over half an hour.
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