3ft long dead lizard found dumped in park

City council officers have launched an appeal for witnesses after the reptile was discovered in Small Heath.

Enforcement officers working in the area were alerted to the dead animal by a member of the public, who spotted the lizard on the edge of Hay Barn Recreation Ground on Thursday.

The Bosc monitor lizard, which is believed to have been kept as an exotic pet, bore no signs of injury and was not micro-chipped. Officers took the animal away and its body was incinerated, as required by law.

Abandoning rubbish of any kind, including dead animals, is illegal and offenders can face an unlimited fine and up to five years in jail if convicted at crown court.

Environmental health officers are investigating and scrutinising CCTV footage to help identify the person or people responsible.

Jacqui Kennedy, acting strategic director of place at the city council, said: "The discovery of a large dead lizard dumped as 'rubbish' is not only unacceptable, it is disturbing that someone would do this in the first place."

"Due to its weight and size it may well have been transported by car, as it could not be carried very far – so I am appealing to anyone who was in this area of Small Heath on Thursday before 2.30pm to get in touch with any information that may help officers find those responsible."