‘Released without charge’: WA Police release monitor lizard found in Carnarvon garden

A monitor lizard has been “released without charge” after being escorted away by police for wreaking havoc at a property in WA’s north.

WA Police officers picked up the almost two-metre-long lizard and put it in the back of a paddy wagon after it was found in the front yard of a Carnarvon home on Sunday afternoon.

Body-worn footage shows an officer lifting the monitor by the tail in front of dozens of squealing spectators.

“Carnarvon officers were called to handle a scaly situation,” WA Police posted n Facebook.

“No Jurassic relics were harmed in the making of this arrest, but one is now in custody.”

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Police Commissioner Col Blanch praised the officers for their efforts.

“I know people are arguing that it should have been dealt with differently ... but they did what they could,” he said.

“We do our very best and I think we released it without further charge.

“I think we did a better job than I could have done; I might have run in the other direction.”