California Godzilla Lizard

The California Godzilla Lizard that terrorized Riverside was arrested by cops and Southern Californians are now safe to resume daily life.

An animal control officer and a Riverside police officer captured the 5-foot-long reptile, which authorities describe as a 45-pound black-throated monitor lizard.

John Welsh, from Riverside County Animal Services, exclaimed: "The residents were freaking out because here's the Godzilla-like creature walking down the sidewalk."

Shrieks and screams were definitely heard in Riverside.

Southern California cell phones and texts were abuzz with warnings of the carnivorous African monster on the streets of Riverside.

The gigantic, shocking reptile was captured with a catch-pole normally used to seize dogs.

Speaking of dogs, I tried to get an exclusive interview with the chihuahua in the photo, but he didn't want to "stick around for dinner".  Me neither.  Buh-BYE!

When officers attempted to take the Godzilla lizard into custody, it started hissing and swinging its tail, but brave officers manhandled the beast into an animal control vehicle.

California nightmare over.  Alert the governor.

In the Golden State, it's actually legal to own one of these Godzilla lizards.

Authorities suspect that the Riverside Godzilla may be (gasp) somebody's pet that escaped -- and they're calling for the owner to bail it out of lizard jail.