Snake catcher Allan Robert Forbes bailed to live with three pet dogs on new charges after being found guilty of animal cruelty

A man previously found guilty of animal cruelty who claimed he needed an ambulance for diarrhoea - and then went on the run - has been granted bail on new charges to live with three dogs.

Snake-catcher Allan Forbes was found guilty for animal cruelty in December. Picture: Facebook

A man previously found guilty of animal cruelty charges has been granted strict home detention bail at an address with three pet dogs – but is forbidden from having any other protected animal in his custody.

Allan Robert Forbes appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis granted him bail but with strict conditions.

Forbes, 43, was previously found guilty in December of 55 counts of having ill-treated an animal.

It had been alleged by the Environment Department that Forbes, who was a reptile breeder, kept 55 protected reptiles in separate enclosures without a permit.

He has been in custody after going on the run last year, being arrested in November.

The strict bail conditions granted on Tuesday include that Mr Forbes must not have any protected animals in his custody – apart from his and his wife’s three pet dogs.

“You are forbidden from acquiring or having custody of any protected animals as that term is defined in section five of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1972,” Ms Panagiotdis said.

Snake-catcher Allan Forbes has been released on home detention bail. Picture: Facebook

“This does not include your three pet dogs.

“Please understand that ‘I forgot, I didn’t realise or I thought it would be okay’, all of those sorts of excuses aren’t going to wash.”

At Forbes’ last court appearance in December, defence counsel for the Environment Department said Forbes has been charged with 13 additional counts of ill-treating an animal after a search of his parents’ home.

They said it would be alleged he had kept 11 venomous snakes, a monitor and a children’s python in the same unsuitable conditions as the prior 55 reptiles.

He is yet to plead to these charges.

During a trial for his initial 55 charges, Forbes abruptly left the courtroom to use the bathroom, claiming he had diarrhoea and needed an ambulance.

Forbes didn’t appear in court again and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was arrested in November and remanded in custody until his release on Tuesday.

He is awaiting sentencing on the initial 55 charges.

Forbes will appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court next month.