‘Animals have rights’: Cops heckled over bizarre lizard video

WA police have copped backlash online after sharing bizarre footage of officers ‘arresting’ a lizard outside a home.

WA police have copped backlash online after sharing footage of officers removing a large lizard from the front yard of a home.

Officers in Carnarvon, a coastal town nine hours north of Perth, were called to a home on Sunday evening to remove the giant reptile, suspected to be a bungarra – also known as a sand goanna.

“This is just another wild day in country policing,” WA police captioned the video.

“Carnarvon officers were called to handle a scaly situation … No Jurassic relics were harmed in the making of this arrest, but one is now in custody.”

The footage shows two officers attempting to wrangle the reptile in the front yard of the property while neighbours anxiously watch on.

Police wrangles the lizard outside the property of the home. Picture: Facebook/Western Australia Police Force

One officer managed to grab a hold of the lizard by its tail. Picture: Facebook/Western Australia Police Force

One officer manages to grasp a hold of the lizard by its tail, while another holds out a metal pole.

After making their way through the yard, the officers carry the lizards out onto the street before hauling them into a waiting police van and quickly slamming the door.

The officer continued to carry the lizard out onto the street and into a nearby police van. Picture: Facebook/Western Australia Police Force

Officers were quick to shut the door once the reptile was safely inside. Picture: Facebook/Western Australia Police Force

While officers reassured the public the lizard was not injured during the relocation, many online were quick to come to the animal’s defence and blast the officers involved.

“You know animals have rights too. You can’t just arrest them for no reason,” one person commented on the video on social media.

“Just leave it alone. They are harmless,” another protested.

“What no cuffs,” a third jested.

“Dude just arrested a lizard,” another wrote.

“Bit dramatic,” said another.

However others commended the officers for handling the scaly suspect.

“I love it boys, good on ya’s (sic),” one person wrote.

“Good job boys!!!” said another.

“Well done,” another applauded.