Reptile breeder Alan Forbes has been charged with 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal

A reptile breeder charged with 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal claims the government is selling his snakes without permission – but authorities have a different story.

A reptile breeder from Hackham West has claimed the government is selling off his snakes while he faces more than 50 charges related to how they were kept, a court has heard.

Appearing at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court, Alan Forbes, 42, told Magistrate Rodney Oates he was worried about the welfare of his snakes after they were confiscated.

“It’s a very serious matter,” Mr Forbes said.

“I’ve got people telling me they have taken my reptiles because I’m getting told people have bought them and in people’s care who shouldn’t actually be looking after them.

“They government has taken more reptiles than what they have charged me with, so where are my reptiles?”

The Environment Department denies any of Mr Forbes’ reptiles have been sold.

Alan Forbes is charged with 55 counts of ill treatment of an animal. Picture: Facebook

Mr Oates instructed Mr Forbes to seek legal advice to help sort his matters.

Mr Forbes was charged with two counts of keeping a protected animal on April 8 in Hackham, as well as hindering a warden or person assisting a warden.

It is also alleged that on June 1, Mr Forbes was keeping 55 protected reptiles, all in separate enclosures without having a permit, breaching section 58 of the National Parks and Wildlife act, resulting in 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal.

A legal representative for the Environment Department told the court there should be a significant penalty with a maximum $20,000 fine or two-year imprisonment period if Mr Forbes was found guilty.

“I can indicate that this is a serious form of offending,” he said.

Mr Oates entered Mr Forbes into a $200 bond with supervision after learning the defendant became homeless after being charged with the matters.

No pleas were entered and Mr Forbes will face court again in December.

An Environment Department spokesperson said: “Animals seized from Mr Forbes are being maintained by the department at appropriate facilities, and no animals seized from Mr Forbes have been sold.”