PAINESVILLE, Ohio — A hearing was held Monday in Painesville Municipal Court in the case of a man accused of throwing an iguana at the manager of a Perkins restaurant.
Appearing by video, Arnold Teeter entered a plea of not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and cruelty to animals. It was felt that Teeter's presence in court would be too disruptive.
Teeter's bond was reduced from $10,000 to $2,500 and he was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Once Teeter makes bond, the court ordered him to be on GPS monitoring. He is not allowed to have any animals and will only be able to leave his house for medical, mental health and legal purposes. Teeter must also stay away from the Perkins restaurant where the incident took place.
Authorities say Teeter entered the Perkins just after 11 a.m. last Tuesday. He was being disruptive, then removed an iguana from under his shirt and began swinging the lizard by its tail over his head before throwing it at the manager who was attempting to reason with him.
The iguana missed the manager and skidded across the floor before Teeter picked it up and fled. He was caught by police after being reported as disorderly outsidet of the YMCA on Mentor Avenue. Officers found Teeter walking through traffic on Mentor Avenue and recognized him as the man from surveillance video in the restaurant.
The iguana, named "Copper" by authorities, was taken to the Animal Center of Euclid, where staff discovered she suffered a leg fracture which will require surgery. She was also missing part of her tail and was diagnosed with metabolic bone disease and poor body condition.
An official at the Lake Humane Society tells WKYC that Copper remains in protective custody. She has not had surgery yet because she is still owned by Teeter and her condition is not considered life-threatening.
The next hearing for Teeter is set for April 29 at 9:30 a.m.