Have you heard about a Lakewood man’s deadly encounter with his pet lizard?
In a chilling incident that has captivated national news, a Gila monster named Winston bit and latched onto its owner, Christopher Ward, that ultimately led to his death.
A Gila monster is a black lizard covered in blotches of pink, orange or yellow spots. You can typically find this lizard in Arizona, Mexico and the southern tip of Nevada. To own one in Colorado, it requires a permit.
The incident, which occurred in early February, has been under scrutiny and is shedding light on why you can’t own one of these lizards without a permit in Colorado.
Lakewood Animal Control officers responded to the residence the day following the accident. Collaborating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they successfully removed two Gila monsters from the Ward house.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that the reptiles were relocated to a South Dakota wildlife rehabilitation center for further care and assessment.
On Feb. 22, Winston was sent to UNC’s Venom Analysis Lab for further investigation. The goal is to understand the venom’s potency and the circumstances surrounding Ward’s death.
In a recently released autopsy report from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, they revealed that Ward's death was accidental and died from complications from the Gila monster venom. It is reported that Winston latched onto Ward for four minutes while he drifted in and out of consciousness before calling 911.
This accident serves as a deadly reminder to stay alert as the responsibilities that come with owning animals, especially those with potential to inflict harm, are important to maintain.
