Man says being pet Santa a messy job

MIAMI, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A Florida man says serving as Santa Claus for pets of various species during the holiday season is a very messy job.

Bob Hutchinson said while he has been dressing up as the Christmas character for five years to take part in the Key Largo School's Pets & Pina Coladas fundraiser, it is not always the ideal position, The Miami Herald said Monday.

''I've been peed on by dogs, pooped on by birds,'' Hutchinson said. "But pets still are way easier than kids.''

Hutchinson's position isn't made any better by the fact that nearly any animal can attend the annual holiday event and earn a spot on Santa's lap.

Event photographer told the Herald that during the event's 10-year history, he has seen a wide variety of animals take part in the holiday tradition.

"We've had chickens, frogs, iguanas, chameleons, rats, gerbils, rabbits, sugar gliders, tarantulas and even a skunk,'' Martinez told the newspaper. "Santa has no fear.''