According to local law enforcement reports, a man who allegedly smuggled nearly two dozen iguanas from Florida and tried to sell these taped animals for $10 each has been arrested.
According to a report by WSB-TVAllegedly, Dayniel Del Toro Mendez (Dayniel Del Toro Mendez) sold taped reptiles in a car in Georgia in late June.
“The iguana is tied up,” Hildeshivalle of the Gwinnett County Police told the media. “Their legs are tied up with duct tape in an unventilated area, which may cause them to die.”
Jennifer Richter of the Sergeant Gwinnett County Police Department also confirmed Weekly newspaper 22 iguanas “was found to have wrapped their legs with duct tape.”
According to the incident report obtained Weekly newspaperAfter receiving a call from a citizen about potential animal abuse, the Gwinnett Police Department found Mendes and an iguana in a parking lot.
The report said: “The trunk door of his vehicle was open. I noticed that there were multiple iguanas lying in his trunk. Their legs and bodies were tied up with tape.” “I asked Mendes if he There is a license or permit to sell animals, he said he did not. He also said that he is not part of a shop or business.”
The Gwinnett Animal Control Center was later sent to the scene, and the police officers took 22 iguanas tied with tape from the car.
Responded to the police and “arrested Mendes for cruelty to animals…[and] Obtained 22 arrest warrants for animal cruelty in Mendes [one count per iguana]Mendes was also summoned for multiple crimes related to this incident with the animal control department. “
Provided by Gwinnett Police Department
Although the iguanas were traded in Georgia, the records obtained by the police Weekly newspaper Mendes allegedly captured the iguanas in Miami and brought them back to Gwinnett County to “sell and make money.”Iguana is classified as an invasive species Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, And trading these animals is illegal in the state.
The Commission’s website reported: “Green iguanas are not native to Florida. Because of their impact on native wildlife, they are considered an invasive species.” “Like all non-native reptiles, green iguanas are not native to Florida. It is protected by anti-abuse laws and can be killed humanely on private property with the permission of the landowner.”
As of April 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also considers it illegal to sell, possess, or breed invasive species such as iguanas in Florida.
In Georgia, State Department of Natural Resources Department of Wildlife Resources believes Lizards, of which iguana is a subspecies, are considered “an alien species regulated by Georgia law.” Iguana owners must have a license to own them.
According to the list of businesses registered by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, Mendes reportedly runs a pet shop called Del Toro Pet Shop in Gwinnett County, Georgia. According to online reports, this pet and pet supply store was registered as a retail business in July 2020. Weekly newspaperHowever, his company address and residential address are the same address.
WSB-TV reported that Mendes has since been released on bail.Richter also confirmed Weekly newspaper The 22 iguanas were in stable condition and were later adopted.
“The animal control center controlled them and they were rescued,” she said.
Weekly newspaper Gwinnett Animal Welfare was contacted on this matter, but they currently declined to comment.
Also in June, a Massachusetts man was arrested on allegations of cruelty to animals. Internet search cache related to methods to torment cats. In Florida, a woman was lashed out online Trying to kick the crocodile with her foot Leave the busy Louisiana streets.
