GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. – A baby bearded dragon named Hans had a stressful 12 hours after being stolen from Lou’s Pet Shop in Grosse Pointe Woods on Tuesday, though he’s now safely back home.
“He threw up his meal all over the place. He had a stressful day,” said Don Cook, the owner of Lou’s Pet Shop, while holding the tiny lizard.
The 6-month-old lizard, small enough to fit in a pocket, was taken from his cage while the reptiles’ cages were undergoing maintenance.
“We had the doors unlocked and a couple customers came in — worked as a team,” said Cook. “One distracted our employee to the front and left. The other customer went free about her business back here, and she just slid the cage open and grabbed it.”
The thief is seen on surveillance video lifting the lizard from his cage and slipping him into her pocket.
“Obviously, you’re putting the animal’s life in danger having it shoved in your pocket,” Cook said.”
Cook said the suspects were actually searching for a different type of reptile and that’s what got them caught — in about 12 hours, and thanks to the Grosse Pointe Woods Police.
“They left what seemed to be all of their correct information, which is how the detectives were able to trace them back,” said Cook.
Cook decided not to press charges but has banned the individuals from the store, which is a pretty cool spot, by the way. You can see exotic animals roaming freely inside.
Cook said many of them organically become rescues over the years. One such animal is Mr. Lemon, a large yellow snake rescued with the help of Detroit police.
The shop also houses Howie, a giant tortoise and another lizard — actually, the second-largest lizard in the world, according to Cook.
Cook said Lou’s Pet Shoppe is federally licensed to accept exotic rescues and helps animals whenever possible.
“It’s a good thing for the animals, but it’s good for healing for people too,” Cook said.
Hans is now back in his cage, located near another lizard named Bud, who is about a foot long… about the size Hans is expected to reach.