Posted on 06/04/2021 4:56:07 AM PDT by billorites
A Florida man who is accused of beating an iguana to death asked a judge to dismiss animal cruelty charges on the basis of the state’s “stand your ground” law. The judge said no.
PJ Nilaja Patterson was arrested after allegedly dragging, kicking and beating a 3-foot iguana in Lake Worth, Florida on Sept. 2, according to court records. The animal died as Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control was transporting it to be euthanized, the affidavit states.
Patterson’s attorneys Frank Vasconcelos and Carey Haughwout said their client was engaging in self-defense after trying to save the iguana from a busy street. According to the motion, the animal subsequently became agitated by a crowd and bit Patterson’s right arm when he tried to move it. It says he then “kicked the iguana as far as he could.” Patterson had to get 22 staples in his arm because of the bite, according to the motion.
“In this case, Patterson acted in a reasonable manner under all the circumstances because the wild iguana was first to engage with physical violence, during the encounter,” his attorneys wrote.
Florida’s stand your ground law states deadly force can be used if a person “reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.” Patterson’s attorneys argued that he had the right to defend himself since the iguana became aggressive first.
They also wrote that Patterson believed the iguana “could have injected poison” into him, CNN reported.
“Thus he rushed to incapacitate the iguana the best way he could in order to preserve its antidote,” they wrote.
Vasconcelos maintains his client’s innocence, and in an email to CNN, said they will “fight this case until the very end.” He also added that the iguana bite left his client with “permanent marks.”
Assistant State Attorney Alexandra Dorman wrote in response to the motion to dismiss that the entire episode was captured in a 32-minute surveillance video, CNN reported.
She wrote that the video shows how Patterson tormented the iguana, which “was not bothering anyone and did not pose a threat to anyone.” She said there was no provocation or no justification for the actions and that his behavior was unjustifiable.
During a necropsy, Dr. Virginia Sayre of Animal Control found that the iguana had a lacerated liver, fractured pelvis, blood in its mouth, blood in its abdomen and a lacerated tongue. She also said the lizard’s injuries were “painful and terrifying.”
“The Defendant unnecessarily put himself in a position to be bit by this animal,” Dorman wrote. “The State’s position is that Stand Your Ground does not even apply to this case because the iguana is not a human being.”
Patterson is due back in court in late July. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for animal cruelty.
Anyone who abuses an animal needs to suffer the exact same abuse as punishment along with an appropriate jail sentence.
Animal abusers are a small step above child abusers.
Lizard Lives Matter!
Iguana are an invasive species why would it be against the law to kill them?
From videos I’ve seen, Florida appears to have an iguana infestation. Why the heck would this guy get punished for killing one and why would they spend money to have an autopsy done on the thing..........Sounds pretty stupid to me.
He looks like an iguana. Maybe the thing thought he was trying to mate.
What next? murder charges for stepping on an ant?
Each State gets to decide how invasive species are handled. Individuals don’t get to torture them.
Should have made it roadkill with a semi!
Biggest Iguana you ever saw, but it’s only 1/8 “ thick.
I suppose I could've been cited for blocking traffic for 30 seconds or so and I did endure some honking, but it was the right thing to do.
.Sounds pretty stupid to me.
YEPPER !!
I’d agree if it were a domestic animal, or if it were a wild animal who was doing no harm. Large lizards, especially in the size they grow into in Florida, do not really deserve the benefit of a doubt. Iguanas can be domesticated, but so can wild dogs. If a wild dog bites someone, he better expect to get kicked, or even shot.
Sounds like he was killing it for sport and not just to get rid of it. In related news: python season opened today here in Florida.
“If a wild dog bites someone, he better expect to get kicked, or even shot.”
Read the article, the jerk was provoking the animal and the animal was responding in the way any animal feeling trapped would.
Animals attack out of fear not malice.
Hey, new guy. Whatchoo in for?
Beat a lizard to death.
Beat a...what?! Hey, Bubba! We got us an iguana killer. Send the word down the cell block. He’s toast!
He bit me.
I might bitechoo, too, motherf@#$er! Iguanas are your friend.
Next thing you know putting a worm on a fishing hook will be considered animal cruelty.
“Green iguanas are considered an invasive species in Florida. State law allows people to “humanely” kill them on private property — a guideline generally interpreted to mean that the animal must die instantly and without suffering, the Sun Sentinel reported.”
So the cruelty was by the animal control officer for keeping it alive and suffering.
We’ve got plenty of them but they really only come out when it’s hot and sunny . . . they actually lounge out on the grass like we would at the beach. I’ve never actually heard of one attacking a human before this. Also Lake Worth isn’t exactly known for it’s collective IQ.
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