Bearded dragon kicked in air 'like football' in Harlow

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-34484543

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A reptile has been left unable to move properly after four boys kicked it "like a football" in an Essex park.

The bearded dragon was kicked into the air about 25 times, according to a woman who rescued it.

"This was a sickening, cowardly attack on a defenceless creature," said RSPCA inspector Emily Cheeseman.

The dog walker in Sumners Park, Harlow, intervened and took the animal to a vet. It is thought to have spinal damage and cannot move one of its legs.

The dog walker said she saw the boys kicking something and laughing.

"I walked a bit nearer and was sickened when I saw it was an animal," she said.

"They were kicking it to head height and must have kicked it at least 25 times. I was horrified.

"I wrapped him up. He wasn't able to move his legs or his tail. It was about half an hour before he opened his eyes."

The RSPCA is now investigating. It said the boys were white, in their early teens and wore tracksuits and hooded tops.

The attack happened on Sunday.

The RSPCA said it now knew who owned the bearded dragon. It said the reptiles were becoming popular pets.

However, the organisation has issued a warning to people wanting them.

"Exotic pets, particularly reptiles such as bearded dragons, appear to be increasing in popularity and the number of related incidents dealt with by the RSPCA has risen in recent years," a spokesman said.

"The needs of exotic pets can be challenging to meet because they are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions in the animal's natural environment, that can be difficult to replicate in a home.

"Unlike cats or dogs these animals have not undergone years of domestication, therefore they are wild animals kept in captivity and their needs are the same as in the wild."