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KEYNOTER (Marathon, Florida) 22 July 05 County: Neutering a no-go (Alyson Matley)
Iguanas appear to have locals on the run
The Monroe County Commission determined Wednesday that it would be far too costly to taxpayers to undertake a neutering program for Keys iguanas and that freezing them is an unacceptable way to control the expanding population.
What began as a somewhat lighthearted look at the lizard boom turned serious when animal rescue officials took exception to a second-hand suggestion to the commission that freezing iguanas is a humane way to euthanize them and thus reduce their numbers.
Mayor Dixie Spehar introduced the discussion at the monthly County Commission meeting after receiving a letter from a constituent complaining about the green iguanas proliferating throughout the Keys.
The non-indigenous creatures are wreaking havoc with people's gardens, according to Key Haven resident Harlan Franklin. Then he quoted a Palm Beach County iguana-catcher as recommending freezing as a humane way to kill them.
"If an animal is going to be euthanized, the homeowner cannot do that in the freezer - bring it to the animal shelter," said Gwen Hawtoff, president of the Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "They are equipped and legally authorized to do that."
Hawtoff told the commission that the iguana population is indeed skyrocketing, and said people need to do their part by helping trap them, as they do with feral cats.
"What's worrisome about the numbers," Hawtoff told the Keynoter, "is that however many you see, you know there's a whole lot more that you don't."
"We need to be proactive about this," Spehar said when she introduced the 26-minute discussion. "They are multiplying and at a very fast rate."
Ritchie Moretti, director of the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, was livid that anyone would discuss freezing iguanas.
"Iguanas are a cold-blooded animal and freezing is a cruel death," he said. "It is also a felony."
In Florida, cruelty to animals that result in their death is a felony. In fact, on Little Torch, a man served time a few years back for shooting an iguana.
Moretti suggested neutering the feral reptiles as a means to control their proliferation, but said it would cost anywhere from $350 to $500 per animal.
"Ferrets are not sold unfixed," said Hawtoff, who blames the pet stores for the problem. "That's the law, so if they did it with iguanas, it might help. I wish we could move toward a pet store being just a pet supply store."
Though some are euthanized when they come to the shelters, Hawtoff says they try to adopt out the critters that are amenable to humans and would make good pets.
"We have trouble getting ferrets, rabbits, and other more exotic animals adopted," she said. "We can't get them to do it for cats and dogs."
The County Commission did not come to any conclusions, but said it would look into providing more iguana traps.
Neutering a no-go

Wow, didnt know things were that bad here in Fla!
Selling them 'fixed' is not a bad idea... but costs and expertise is tricky.

Great article!

This is a growing problem and undoubtly is made worse by peddling check iguanas to children and giving them as carnival midway game prizes. They made iguanas throw away pets.