Monitor lizard caught in Fla. city

MELBOURNE, Fla., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida say a carnivorous lizard measuring 4 feet long was captured near a busy intersection by an off-duty firefighter.

Brevard County Animal Services Capt. Bob Brown said the firefighter captured the monitor on a busy Melbourne street about 11 a.m. Tuesday and took it to a nearby pet store, Florida Today reported Wednesday.

Brown said his department does not receive many calls about monitors.

"We have one or two calls a year about monitors that get out or push the top off a container to go exploring. They're fairly hard to catch," he said.

He said monitors require state-issued permits to keep.

"We'll probably end up taking it to a shelter. You have to be very cautious handling it," Brown said.