A judge has acquitted a Chicago man of animal cruelty charges filed after the man posted a video of himself smoking marijuana with a chameleon.
After viewing the video and hearing the arguments of prosecutors and defence attorneys, Cook County Circuit Judge Robert Kuzas ruled Wednesday that Bruce Blunt’s behaviour was “uncalled for and immature” but didn’t rise to criminal behaviour.
Blunt posted a Facebook video of himself smoking marijuana with the chameleon, Binna, earlier this year. That prompted a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
After his acquittal, Blunt said he blew smoke into the chameleon’s mouth because it seemed to calm the aggressive reptile.
The Chicago Tribune reports Blunt said he hopes to get the chameleon back from Chicago Animal Care and Control.
– AP
