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Man gets jail time for throwing iguana inside Painesville restaurant

He will also be on probation for five years and cannot own or reside with an animal during that same period.

A man who threw an iguana at a Painesville restaurant manager earlier this year will serve time in jail for his crimes.

Arnold J. Teeter, 49, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of cruelty to animals and resisting arrest, while a charge of disorderly conduct was dropped. Judge Michael A. Cicconetti sentenced Teeter to 90 days in the Lake County Jail, although 77 days were suspended, meaning Teeter will serve only 13 days.

Back on April 16, Teeter entered a Perkins and swung the iguana over his head before throwing the animal across the room and at a manager. The reptile, named Copper, was later found to have escaped from its original owner, and was later returned to her following treatment for injuries suffered during the altercation.

Credit: Lake Humane Society
Jordan, her daughter, and her husband, and Lake Humane Society's Shelter Manger, Megan Newkirk with Copper the Iguana

In addition to jail, Teeter will also be on probation for five years (two years active, three years inactive if found to be in compliance) and cannot own or reside with an animal during that same time period. He is also not allowed to "publicize or seek attention from" the incident.

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