Reptile store owner accused of hitting employees with bearded dragon

Benjamin Siegel, owner of Ben Siegel Reptiles Inc. located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, is accused of abusing a bearded dragon in multiple ways on January 2nd. According to the arrest form, 40-year-old Siegel first put the bearded dragon in his mouth.



Witnesses said Siegel proceeded to toss the reptile up into the air and swing it around several times. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies said Siegel also hit people inside the store with the pet, before squirting them with Gatorade. Siegel appeared in court on Monday where he was held on $4,500 bond.

He is facing two charges of touch or strike battery and one count of causing cruel death, pain and suffering to an animal. Authorities did not say if the animal died. 40-year-old Siegel has made headlines before. In 2012, a 32-year-old man died after a roach eating contesting at his store.


YouTube link.

The winner was to receive an expensive python, but instead Edward Archbold died. Siegel has three other battery charges since October and also a possession of cocaine charge from Christmas Day, according to the Broward Clerk of Courts. He was arrested at the store on Friday.