Latest news with #watermonitorlizard
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Escaped Massachusetts 5-foot-long water monitor lizard spotted in Connecticut
Officials say the water monitor lizard that escaped from a Webster, Massachusetts home earlier this month was spotted over the weekend in Connecticut. Police in Webster said Goose, a 5-foot-long lizard, leapt out of a second-floor window on July 18. The lizard was being kept as a pet, and someone who was house sitting opened the window, allowing it to escape. Massachusetts Environmental Police said it's illegal to have this type of reptile in the state unless you have a permit, which police say this homeowner did not. On Friday, the Town of Thompson, Connecticut alerted residents that Goose was spotted in the Little Pond area of Wilsonville Road and Thompsonville Road. Webster police confirmed that someone claimed to have seen the lizard under a car, but by the time they arrived to the scene it was gone. "This animal is owned illegally, and it is important to call animal control as soon as there is a spotting so we can capture it. We do have a reptile specialist we are working with," Thompson Animal Control wrote on social media. "If you spot this reptile, please immediately contact animal control or the police department." Experts told WBZ-TV that water monitors love to travel. They also enjoy climbing up trees, and mostly love bodies of water. This species of lizard is not generally seen as a threat to humans or dogs and cats. Still, anyone who encounters Goose is asked not to attempt to corral the lizard on their own and should instead contact authorities. When Goose first escaped, police in Webster said it was a case unlike any they've dealt with in the past. "This is a first in my 29 years in law enforcement," Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw said. "Just when we thought we had seen it all, we came across a missing water monitor."
CBS News
19-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Neighbors on alert after 5-foot-long lizard escapes home in Massachusetts
Police say a 5-foot-long water monitor lizard escaped from a home in Webster, Massachusetts on Friday. Now they're looking for it and so is the entire neighborhood. It isn't your typical neighborhood watch. Neighbors are on alert after Webster Animal Control says the reptile escaped from its pet owner on Blueberry Lane, leaping out of a second-floor window, according to neighbors. "It's crazy, like I can't even put my head to it, it's scary," said neighbor Giana Holland. "I looked out the window and the back window in the back of that house like the screen is busted open because it jumped out of the screen and off of the roof this morning," said neighbor Olivia Williams. Police say the leaping lizard got loose while someone was house sitting and opened the window. Even for Webster Police it's a first. "This is a first in my 29 years in law enforcement," said Chief Michael Shaw. "Just when we thought we had seen it all, we came across a missing water monitor." Police say the owner got it from New Hampshire about 2-3 weeks ago, but Massachusetts Environmental Police say it's illegal to have this type of reptile in Massachusetts unless you have a permit, which police say this homeowner did not. "There's a certain reason we can't have these and there's a certain responsibility that go with being a pet owner," said Chief Shaw. "As a pet owner you are responsible for it, so in the end we need to take that responsibility just like we do with our children, very seriously." Not even a drone from first responders could spot the creature. Neighbors say they've helped searched for other lizards in the past. "I just went on a loop, and I didn't really see much, I was hoping to see some action, but I didn't," said neighbor Joey Gajewski. Experts say water monitors love to travel, go up trees and they especially love water. "I'm like scared because I don't want it to end up in my pool, but honestly I think it's cool that they do that, but I don't know it's a little concerning," said Willams. Concerning enough that neighbors are watching their steps and pets closely. "I just think it's crazy that's all and I'm not walking in the woods," said neighbor Ann Annese. Experts say these lizards are generally not dangerous to humans, but don't try to corral them if you spot them. WBZ reached out to the lizard's owner. They really want to find the lizard, but they requested their privacy.
