Iguana injured after man throws reptile at restaurant manager during dispute

Copper, a turquoise female iguana, suffers from a broken leg, bone disease and is missing a portion of her tail, Lake County Humane Society officials told WEWS.

Costs to cover surgery are estimated at $1,600, but because the humane society is not the animal’s owner, it has to wait for a judge’s approval.

The humane society set up a fundraiser to pay for veterinary costs.

Arnold J. Teeter, 49, got into a fight April 16 with a server at a Perkins Restaurant. When a manager came over, Teeter pulled out Copper and started swinging her before throwing the reptile at the manager, police said.

Teeter was charged with animal cruelty and disorderly conduct, WEWS reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.