Columbus, Ohio — October 2 – A Columbus man is accusing local police of “brutally executing” his pet monitor lizard, Draco, after officers shot the animal during a raid on his home last week. The incident has triggered a national backlash online, with the hashtag #JusticeForDraco and
the account @DracoViral
The lizard’s owner, Mark Delaney, 31, said he raised Draco from a hatchling and considered him a family member. The reptile was reportedly certified as an emotional support animal, though police dispute the documentation.
“I bottle-fed him when he was the size of my hand,” Delaney said through tears. “He helped me cope with anxiety after my brother’s death. He was calm, gentle, and loved everyone. They didn’t have to kill him.”
A raid over outdated exotic-pet laws
According to police, the raid was conducted under Ohio’s Dangerous Wild Animal Act, passed after the 2011 Zanesville tragedy in which dozens of exotic animals were released by a private owner. The law restricts ownership of certain reptiles over a specific length unless special permits are granted.
Police claim Delaney was in violation of the law. But witnesses say the Dracon Asian water monitor measuring about six feet long posed no threat.
“They stormed in like it was a drug bust,” said Angela Ruiz, Delaney’s neighbor. “Mark was yelling that the lizard was harmless. Draco just stood still. Then they shot him right in the living room.”
He never even moved
Video of the aftermath, later posted by @DracoViral, shows Delaney screaming as officers drag the lizard’s body from the apartment wrapped in a tarp. The clip has been viewed over 12 million times on X.
“The whole building was crying,” Ruiz said. “There were kids watching from the hall. He never even moved toward them. It was cold-blooded.”
Police defended the shooting, claiming Draco “displayed aggressive behavior and moved suddenly toward an officer.” But animal rights groups have called that justification “thin at best.”
Online outrage grows
Within hours, #JusticeForDraco became one of the top-trending topics on X, and the @DracoViral account began documenting updates, calling for a full investigation and new legislation protecting exotic emotional-support animals.
“This isn’t just about one lizard,” the account wrote. “It’s about how the system treats emotional-support pets and their owners like criminals.”
Animal law expert Dr. Karen Whitfield said the case exposes a legal grey area.
“We saw this before with Peanut the squirrel and other emotional-support animals,” she said. “The law hasn’t evolved to recognize that people form legitimate emotional bonds with these animals. The system is outdated.”
Public Demands Accountability and Reform
Across the U.S., citizens, lawmakers, and animal welfare groups are now demanding clearer protocols for handling exotic pets during police operations. Thousands have signed petitions urging the Department of Justice to classify emotional-support animals under the same protection standards as service animals.
“Police training rarely covers reptile behavior,” said Dr. Whitfield. “Most officers are not taught how to safely approach or restrain nontraditional pets, which leads to unnecessary killings.”
Local activists in Columbus have planned a rally this weekend, asking city leaders to review the Dangerous Wild Animal Act and prevent future tragedies. Supporters say “Draco’s Law” could become a national model for balancing public safety with animal rights.
The case has also opened a wider conversation about compassion and responsibility. Many are questioning why non-lethal methods, like tranquilizers or animal control experts, weren’t used. Draco’s story has become a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly misunderstanding can turn into tragedy, and why empathy must guide enforcement decisions.
Lawsuit and memorial
Delaney has retained an attorney and announced plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Columbus Police Department. A small vigil has been set up outside his building with candles, flowers, and handwritten signs reading “Rest Easy Draco” and “Pets Are Family Too.”
“He wasn’t just a lizard,” Delaney said. “He was my best friend. They took him from me because of a law that shouldn’t exist.”
The Columbus Police Department has launched an internal review into the incident.
Meanwhile, the @DracoViral movement continues to grow, calling for “Draco’s Law” — legislation to prevent lethal action against registered emotional-support animals.
