6-foot lizard on the lam in Colorado

(CBS News) WOODLAND PARK, Colo. - Authorities sent a reverse 911 call to residents of a southern Colo. community to be on alert for a six-foot-long lizard.

The pet Nile monitor lizard, weighing about 25 pounds, could be aggressive, though the owner told CBS Affiliate KKTV that the lizard he calls Dino is harmless.

The Teller County Sheriff's Office warned residents of the Woodland West, Westwood Lakes and Rosewood Hills subdivisions of the escape at approximately 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Neighbor Holly Liley told KKTV, "I'm not like super-super worried about it, but if I run into him I'd be pretty freaked out. We have a little dog, a little tiny terrier that goes out in our yard and so we're really worried about letting her out."

The owner, who asked not to be identified other than by his first name, Greg, said he's had Dino for five years and that while he's normally kept outside during the day, he somehow got loose - with his harness and leash still attached.

Greg said he understands why people may be fearful of the lizard, but said, "Even though they are strong, they look mean, they look aggressive, he's not an aggressive animal ... he's a very mellow lizard."

As of Tuesday morning police and animal control officials were still searching for the lizard.