Trisha Garcia | October 22, 2025
SHINER, TX — It’s not every day that Shiner residents spot a reptile on the loose—but when they do, you can bet it’ll turn into a story worth telling. That’s exactly what happened when a large iguana was seen roaming the streets, prompting a flurry of calls to the Shiner Police Department and a few unforgettable moments that only a small town could deliver.
Sgt. Kalina responded to the reports and safely “captured” the creature, who turned out to be Pablo—a pet iguana who had slipped out unnoticed from his home in Shiner. The twist? His owner had no idea Pablo was missing until the police posted a photo online. Within minutes, the mystery was solved, and Pablo was reunited with his human, thanks to the power of social media and a town full of eagle-eyed neighbors.
“LEAPING LIZARDS! 🦎😄 Pablo is back at home!” the department posted, celebrating the happy ending with hashtags like #SafeAndSound and #HappyEnding.
The real fun came in the reactions.
Sheryl Rae Friedrich shared that her son had called her in a panic, asking, “Who do I call? I just saw a reptile and a cat in a stare-down coming home from lunch—a block away from where it was captured.” Her conclusion? “Lucky cat.”
Windy Lange had a more laid-back suggestion: “Take him to Howard’s for a cold beer first.”
And Amy Swank Bishop couldn’t help but reminisce: “Brings back memories of Sgt. Kalina helping me wrangle a couple of goats at Shinerville Coffee House.”
Whether it’s goats or iguanas, Sgt. Kalina has a knack for handling the unexpected with calm and care—earning the appreciation of residents and a few good laughs along the way.
The incident was handled with professionalism, humor, and a healthy dose of small-town charm. Pablo is now safe at home, presumably grounded, and Shiner has another story to add to its growing collection of “you had to be there” moments.
In a town where even reptiles get a warm welcome (and maybe a beer at Howard’s), it’s clear that Shiner knows how to turn the unexpected into a community celebration.