BBC (London, UK) 25 September 06 Iguana given shopping centre ban
A shopping centre has closed the doors on a 4ft long lizard, which was the regular companion of a Tyneside man.
Bosses at Gateshead's Metrocentre told Paul Hudson, 26, that health and safety concerns prevented him walking his pet iguana, called Ig.
Mr Hudson, from Gateshead, said he had taken Ig into the complex since 1998.
He said: "He is a nice animal. He could bite someone if he wanted to but he wouldn't. It's not in him, he's well looked after and likes his days out."
But officials and the shopping complex said they had to put the concerns of customers first.
A spokeswoman for the Metrocentre said: "We have to stick by our rules otherwise we would have to allow other people to bring their cats, dogs, hedgehogs or budgies with them.
"I am sorry, but the answer on this occasion is that we have to look after our customers first and have to say no to the iguana."
Iguana given shopping centre ban
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GBR Press: Ig given shopping centre ban
Replies (1)
I dont see how this made the news. People shouldnt carry their reptiles around town thinking they "enjoy" being out and exposed to all the unnessicery stress that comes along with it. its irresposible. No matter how "nice" a reptile is, its still a wild animal and is going to defent itself to ane PRESCEVED threats and try to eat anything they think is food. This is why things get banned...
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Cloaca Herpetoculture
www.CloacaHerps.com
