A ferocious wild monitor lizard attacked a man who tried to catch it - before walking away with blood dripping from its teeth.<br /><br />The 4ft long beast sparked panic when it was seen outside shops in Surat Thani, southern Thailand, on Monday afternoon (Aug 10).<br /><br />One man who tried to grab it was then bitten - with the reptile sinking its jaws into his right calf. <br /><br />He then collapsed on the ground with blood pouring from the wound as the monitor lizard walked away.<br /><br />With blood covering its mouth and in attack mode, locals were too afraid to try and catch it again,. <br /><br />Resident Pattanarut Onpradit said the lizard disappeared through an alleyway near a canal. When the emergency services arrived they were still unable to find it.<br /><br />Pattanarut said: ''Everybody thinks that monitor lizards are easy to catch, but they are very aggressive and dangerous.<br /><br />''The man had to go to the hospital to have his wound treated with antibiotics and he needed stitches.''<br /><br />Officials warned locals not to approach wild monitor lizards that have ventured into residential areas - often in search of food. They advised locals to call the emergency services who will dispatch an animal catching team.
