Weeks after police shot and killed a monitor lizard that was apparently attacking chickens in Ledyard, police have arrested the lizard's owner.
Anthony String, 36, of Spicer Hill Road in Ledyard, was charged with possession of an illegal reptile yesterday.
Police said they received several reports of monitor lizard sightings at various locations in the eastern part of Ledyard since July, including one on Spicer Hill Road on July 14.
After more than a month of searching, police found the Nile Monitor Lizard on Sunday, August 25 when a Shewville Road resident called 911 at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon and said she thought an alligator was in the chicken coop at her house.
Ledyard police officers and the Ledyard Animal Control Officer responded and found the monitor lizard.
Police shot it because of the “further risk” to livestock, domestic animals and human life, according to a news release from police.
Reports of a possible Monitor Lizard seen on Spicer Hill Rd in Ledyard. If you see it contact LPD ACO. Thank you pic.twitter.com/0wW5MYAvfl — Ledyard Police (@LedyardPolice) July 14, 2013
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Monitor lizards are illegal in the State of Connecticut and can be extremely dangerous, police said.
Sting was issued a summons and is due in court in New London on September 25. Police said he indicated that the lizard escaped.
