Gary, a Derby man told to walk Giant 5ft Lizard On A Lead
Gary Smith, 54, was banned from taking his black-throated monitor called Thor out for a stroll after a string of complaints.
At first, Gary was banned from walking the three-stone beast in his local green space – Markeaton Park, in Derby. So many dog owners and park users said they were worried that the three-stone 5ft-long critter would attack their pets or even harm their children.
Then after he protested, town hall chiefs agreed to lift the ban as long as Gary kept Thor on a lead.
Gary bought Thor ten months ago to go with his collection of six lizards, thirty-one snakes and seven spiders which he keeps at his home in Sinfin, Derby.
The lorry driver said: “I had reached an agreement with the council to say it’s ok to walk as long as he is on a lead, just like a dog.
Gary said “I mainly walk him for exercise and fresh air and I just like to let people see him and maybe experience touching him. He can run really quickly and he wouldn’t just run in a straight line. He’d be all over the place, it would be like trying to catch a chicken. He could do a lot of damage, his claws could slice your arm or head open.
But that would be very out of character. Thor is not aggressive and he has a really cool temperament. Some people get scared and think all reptiles will do is bite and scratch you. But I want to show that is not the case” he added
“He’s friendly and is used to being touched and handled.”
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