So you’ve got a dead iguana on your hands.
You’ve committed no crime, mind you, because you killed it humanely as required by state law. (Iguanas are protected by Florida’s anti-cruelty laws, just like canines and felines.)
But your next move — disposing of the carcass — could land you in legal trouble if you do the wrong thing.
Tossing the iguana’s body in a road or waterway, even the canal or lake behind your house, is illegal. And throwing the carcass in your garbage bin might be outlawed too, depending on which city you live in.
Here’s some advice from the experts on what to do — and what not to do.
Why can’t I just throw it in the canal or in the street?
You could be charged with littering, say officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
If the iguana weighs 15 pounds or more, you could be fined $100 under state law. If it weighs more — and larger male iguanas can tip the scales at 17 pounds — you could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. That comes with a $5,000 fine and a one-year jail sentence.
Why not just throw the carcass in the trash can?
Better check with City Hall first.
“If you have a dead iguana, we recommend you double bag it and put it in the household garbage,” said Dawn McCormick, a spokeswoman for Waste Management. “That’s if the city allows it. Each city [has] their own rule.”
In Hallandale Beach, homeowners are required to hire a private pickup service to remove a dead animal, including an iguana.
But in Davie, dead animals can be placed in the trash, whether it’s a dog, cat or iguana, said Councilman Bryan Caletka.
Not so in Hollywood.
There, domestic animals cannot be thrown in the trash and neither can iguanas, said city spokeswoman Joann Hussey.
“We’re treating iguanas like domestic animals,” she said. “If someone throws it in the trash can, they can be issued a small fine of $50 or more.”
Can’t I just bury the body in my yard?
Yes, you can, if your city allows it.
If it does, make sure to dig a grave 2 feet deep, in keeping with state law, said Jessica Kilgore, co-owner of Florida Iguana Solutions in Hollywood.
There’s good reason why burying the carcass is better than stashing it in the trash bin, she said.
“Imagine having a 12-pound iguana in the trash can in the 90-degree heat,” she said. “It’ll start smelling. It’s a putrid smell. Any rotting flesh would smell bad.”
What other options do I have?
There’s always cremation.
Over the years, pet iguanas have been cremated at the Broward Pet Cemetery in Plantation, said manager Jordan Temkin.
Recently, the Pet Cemetery has offered cremation services to a local critter removal company that kills the iguanas and brings them by in bulk — up to 100 pounds a week, all frozen and tucked inside plastic bags.
Private homeowners can do the same, for a price. The fee: $75, whether it’s just one iguana or more. But if the remains weigh more than 30 pounds in total, the price goes up.
The Pet Cemetery, in Plantation Acres at 11455 Northwest Eighth St., can be reached at 954-476-0743.
What if I captured the iguana but I don’t want to kill it? Who can I call to come take it away?
Critter removal companies will remove the animal for a fee, whether it’s alive, in a trap or already dead. Fees may range from $30 to $60 per iguana or more.
Your local vet might also accept the carcass, for a fee.
If I don’t feel comfortable killing the iguana, what other options do I have?
Don Anthony, spokesman for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, recommends little tricks to keep iguanas at bay.
“If they are eating your flowers, you can spray the flowers with peppermint spray or garlic spray,” Anthony said. “I spray once a week. You want to deter them, not kill them. There’s no reason to kill them.”
Ask officials with the South Florida Wildlife Care Center and you’ll hear the same.
“We never advise people to kill animals,” said Deborah Millman, a spokeswoman for the Fort Lauderdale center.
Instead of resorting to death and destruction, Millman urges people to buy motion-activated sprinklers, which sell for $25 to $60.
“You can also try hot sauce on your plants,” she said. “Just make sure it’s not harmful to the leaves. Cayenne pepper works too.”
Where can I buy a trap?
Check local hardware stores and stores that specialize in hunting supplies. Traps are also sold on several websites, including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart. Experts with Florida Fish and Wildlife recommend buying a medium or large trap big enough for a raccoon. Prices typically range from $50 to $60. Traps should be placed in the shade and checked at least once every 24 hours, as required by law.
How can I get more tips on how to keep iguanas off my property?
Experts with Florida Fish and Wildlife will share tips during a workshop Nov. 29 in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The 6 p.m. meeting takes place next to Town Hall at Jarvis Hall, 4505 N. Ocean Drive.
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