Key West man 'planned to eat' iguanas strung to bicycle, police say

Jeremy Dugas accused of animal cruelty

KEY WEST, Fla. ā€“ A Key West man was arrested on a charge of animal cruelty after he strung up three iguanas to his bicycle and said he "planned to eat them," police said.

Jeremy Dugas, 35, was approached by a Key West police officer outside the Banana CafƩ on St. Patrick's Day.

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The officer had been flagged down by a concerned citizen who said Dugas was trying to sell the iguanas.

According to the police report, the iguanas had their front and back legs bound with duct tape to a metal wire.

When the officer asked Dugas what he intended to do with the iguanas, Dugas said he "planned to eat them," the report said.

The citizen who flagged down the officer became confrontational with Dugas and "claimed he told her he was trying to sell them," pointing out several Banana CafƩ patrons who overheard the conversation. Two witnesses verified that they heard Dugas say he was selling them.

Dugas told police that he caught the iguanas at a golf course and "did intend to eat them," but he told the woman that he planned to sell them "to make her leave him alone," the report said.

The iguanas, which were breathing slowly and appeared to be in shock, were placed in the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

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