X-ray machine foils attempt to sneak iguana into Colorado courthouse

This photo provided by the Boulder County Sheriffs Office shows an X-ray image of an iguana. (Boulder County Sheriffs Department via AP)

BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder County Justice Center allows service animals into the building, but security guards drew the line when someone tried to sneak his pet iguana through the X-ray machine.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Haverfield tells The Daily Camera that security staff caught the reptile as it passed through the machine Friday. The pet's owner was turned away and waited outside for his friends to come out of the courthouse.

The sheriff's department tweeted an X-ray image of the iguana, or at least its skeletal outline, inside a bag.

Haverfield says people have tried to sneak dogs, cats and mice into the building.