But Gary Smith’s walking companion isn’t a Rottweiler or a Staffy. Thor is a 5-foot-long lizard.
Gary, 54, bought the black-throated monitor lizard ten months ago to go with the collection of 31 snakes, six lizards and seven spiders he keeps at his home in Sinfin, Derby.
At first, Gary was banned from walking the three-stone beast in his local green space – Markeaton Park, in Derby. Then after he protested, town hall chiefs agreed to lift the ban as long as Gary kept Thor on a lead.
The lorry driver said: “I had reached an agreement with the council to say it’s ok to walk as long as he is on a lead, just like a dog.
“His claws could slice your arm or head open. But that would be very out of character”
Gary Smith
Gary continued: ”Thor has a really cool temperament, he’s not aggressive.
“When he’s had enough, he’ll whip his tail around.
“Some people get scared and think all reptiles will do is bite and scratch you.
“But I want to show that is not the case.
Gary points out that the cold-blooded creature is quite slow-moving when it’s chilly: “I tend to walk Thor in the summer time and basically when the weather is good.
“He loves the trees and water in the park, he likes to get his claws into the trees.
“He eats braising steak about four times a week, he’ll eat rats and fruit.
“He weighs about three stone and is about five foot nine inches tall.
“He’s a strong lad.
“He gets more active when his temperature gets warmer, so when it’s colder he’s not that active.
“He’s friendly and is used to being touched and handled.”
Aren’t we all, Gary?
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