'Petey is one of a kind:' After a rare lizard was stolen from a Lexington pet business, the owner appealed to the public for assistance.

A unique lizard was stolen from Most Valuable Pets, a Lexington pet business in Beaumont Center, on Saturday night, according to the store.

I couldn't believe someone would do it, Melissa Whitton said.

Whitton, the owner of Most Valuable Pets, was taken aback when she discovered her lizard, Petey, had been stolen.

Whitton claimed, They came straight through the doors, straight over to the cage, and took him.

Petey is an uncommon type of lizard, according to Whitton, so she believes the folks who did this either recognized resale value in him or wanted him for themselves.

It's known as a monkey-tailed skink, Whitton explained. They're from Madagascar, and because you can't harvest any of them in the wild, they all have to be raised in captivity, which is quite tough.

The creatures at Most Valuable Pets range from birds to bearded dragons, but the employees say that losing even one of their beloved pets hurts their hearts.

I know that stealing an animal isn't considered as serious as kidnapping a child, Whitton added. However, if you're linked to an animal and that animal is significant to you, someone taking it away from you steals a piece of your heart.

When it comes to finding Petey, Whitton adds that time is of the essence. She claims that the skink has very specific dietary needs and that there is only a three-week window of opportunity before his health deteriorates dramatically.

According to Whitton, they have filed a police report. They don't want to prosecute charges, she claimed, and simply want their lizard back.

Petey is one of a kind, Whitton remarked. I adore him, and I sincerely hope they bring him back.

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