Florida Man Arrested For Slapping Employees With Bearded Dragon: Cops

Reptile Shop Owner Busted After Slapping People With His Bearded Dragon: Cops

A Florida man is facing multiple charges after allegedly slapping the employees of his reptile shop with a bearded dragon lizard.

Benjamin Siegel, the owner of Ben Siegel Reptiles Inc., was arrested Friday after being caught on surveillance footage placing the live lizard in his mouth, then hitting employees with it multiple times, according to a sheriff’s report obtained by the Broward-Palm Beach New-Times.

The 40-year-old can also allegedly be seen on tape throwing the lizard in the air, swinging the reptile around around, and throwing Gatorade on the employees, according to NBC Miami.

He was charged with battery and cruelty to animals. The condition of the lizard is unclear.

Siegel’s store made headlines in 2012 after 62-year-old Edward Archbold died shortly after winning a live cockroach-eating contest held by the shop. An autopsy found he choked to death after his airway became obstructed by cockroach parts. The prize that Archbold never got to enjoy was a python.

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