A man has been told he must walk his huge pet lizard on a lead - after it scared dogs.
Gary Smith, 54, had been banned from taking black-throated monitor called Thor out for a stroll after a string of complaints.
Fears had been raised that the 5ft-long reptile would attack pets or even hurt children.
But town hall chiefs agreed to lift the ban if Gary agreed to keep Thor on a lead while in a park in Derby.
Gary bought Thor ten months ago to go with his collection of 31 snakes, six lizards and seven spiders which he keeps at his home in Sinfin, Derby.
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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.
"I mainly walk him for exercise and fresh air.
"Also I just like to let people see him and maybe experience touching him.
"He can run really quickly and he wouldn't just run in a straight line.
"He'd be all over the place, it would be like trying to catch a chicken.
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"He could do a lot of damage, his claws could slice your arm or head open."
However, Gary said that would be "very out of character for Thor" who he says is not "aggressive" and has a "really cool temperament".
He said he tends to walk the lizard in the summer, when the weather is warm and he enjoys getting his claws into trees.
He added: "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."
