The date of April 20, 2010, will always be remembered in the state Senate as the Day of the Iguana, thanks to a bill brought by Sen. Buddy Shaw, R-Shreveport.
That’s when Sen. Rob Marionneaux, D-Livonia, strode to the chamber podium with one of the bright-green lizards on his arm in an attempt to poke fun at his colleague for offering an iguana-friendly bill.
Joining the fun, Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, attempted to pass an amendment to Shaw’s bill to protect an animal called the “nauga” so that the naugahyde seat-cover industry could continue to flourish.
Marionneaux’s real animal and Martiny’s fictitious one sent the chamber into an amusement park atmosphere.
But after all the laughs, Shaw’s bill passed 21-14, much to the approval of a young couple from Bossier City who are making a serious effort to limit a public nuisance and reduce animal suffering by decreasing the number of iguanas released into the wild by pet owners unprepared for the real responsibilities of keeping the popular reptiles.
Sara and Chris Gwerder operate Raptor Rescue, a nonprofit organization modeled after dog rescue groups to provide a temporary abode and to locate new homes for rejected or abandoned iguanas. Sara Gwerder, who testified in the Senate Commerce Committee last week, works for the U.S. Air Force.
When Shaw learned their story earlier this year he decided to file Senate Bill 368, which requires retailers selling iguanas to maintain records showing they have informed purchasers about the proper care and characteristics of the lizard, including that the animals require special diets and lighting and may carry salmonella. Customers would also be notified that iguanas can grow to six feet and become aggressive.
Retailers already are required to keep documents about sales of the reptiles.
Gwerder testified in committee that the information probably would help retailers make more sales because customers would realize they need to buy equipment to provide a healthy environment. She said she had visited some pet stores that lacked basic information about iguana care.
As for the Legislature, the iguana will get another day at least. Shaw’s bill now moves to the House for further consideration, where it likely will get a hearing in the House Commerce Committee.