Large Lizard Spotted In Tree Is One Of Several Terrorizing Neighborhood

POSTED: 6:47 am EDT October 9, 2007

UPDATED: 1:01 pm EDT October 9, 2007

EDGEWOOD, Fla. -- A large lizard capable of eating small pets and injuring children spotted in a Central Florida neighborhood tree remains on the loose, keeping homeowners on edge.

PHOTOS: Lizard Hiding In Tree

The lizard, believed to be longer than 4 feet, was spotted Monday apparently trying to get to a nest in a tree near several Edgewood homes.

Neighbors said it is one of at least three dangerous lizards roaming the area.

"As we walk through the neighborhood, we are now looking up into the trees," homeowner Janie Drummond said. An 89-year-old woman has shut herself inside her home because of the lizard invasion.

"She won't come out," daughter of local homeowner Robin Adams said. "They've told her to stay inside so that's what she is going to do." Other homeowners are keeping their children and pets inside because of the possible danger. The reptile is being blamed for biting a large dog on the head.

"I think it's probably not a good thing to have him running around," homeowner Daymon Powell said. "There are kids in the neighborhood that could corner him and it might attack them." Local 6 showed a large crowd of people standing around the homes where the lizard was spotted.

"It is something to see," Powell said. Experts said the lizards can be aggressive and dangerous. They said they think the loose lizards may have been someone's pet and let loose in the area.

**Phew** Everyone can breathe easy ...he's been caught!

Monitor Lizard Captured After Roaming Town For Months

EDGEWOOD, Fla. -- A monitor lizard, suspected of killing small pets in an Orange County community, was finally caught Thursday. The exotic reptile has been roaming the town of Edgewood for nearly a year.

It was a big catch for the neighborhood, who said they're tired of the lizards and it was all done with a pet dog and squeegee.

With his long tail and creepy eyes, the almost 4-foot long monitor lizard was caught. Edgewood resident Michael Lowe gives thanks to his dog Maggie. With Maggie and a squeegee, Lowe's son was able to corner the reptile until a pest control company was able to come and capture it.

"Their teeth are really sharp and they have nasty bacteria and they will whip you with their tail and they can actually lay your skin over," said Brett McCollough, Custom Pet Solutions.

For almost a year, people in the Edgewood area neighborhood said the reptile, along with its friends, have terrorized them. Two have been killed.

McCollough said it's dangerous for monitor lizards to be in a neighborhood, especially when they're hungry.

"There have been some smaller animals that have been missing and parts have been found," he said.

MccCllough wanted to set more traps, since some neighbors believe there are more lizards lurking around, but Edgewood Police Chief John Tegg told him not to since there's no evidence of more.

Lowe said he's okay with the chief's decision.

The police chief said the monitor lizard is heading far away from his community, to Tampa where a researcher will study the reptile.

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