Pet croc owner demands cash over order to kill saltie

The controversial ordering of an Innisfail man to euthanize or rehome his pet crocs while other keepers of pet salties have been granted lifetime permits has been justified by authorities.

THE controversial ordering of an Innisfail man to euthanize or rehome his pet crocs has been justified by authorities.

Landcare contractor Adrian Hogg legally kept two saltwater crocs named Big Boy and Little Girl in a purpose-built enclosure at his property west of Innisfail.

But angered by an order to humanely kill or surrender the animals to a wildlife park by the Department of Environment Mr Hogg shot the crocs and handed over the bloody carcasses to rangers stationed at the Innisfail DES office.

Innisfail man Adrian Hogg left two crocs outside a state government office last week.

In 2020 changes were made that outlawed the keeping of crocodiles and when Mr Hogg’s permit expired the department refused a renewal application.

Asked why some croc keepers were granted a lifetime permit, a DES spokesman said an “arrangement” was made with the Casey family 50 years ago “under relevant arrangements and circumstances applicable at the time.”

John Casey has kept an animal called Charlene in his backyard near Proserpine after inheriting the saltie from his father.

John Casey has been granted a lifetime permit for his backyard croc Charlene. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“At the expiry of his current permit, Mr Hogg’s permit application was required to be considered under the current regulations,” the spokesman said.

Mr Casey spent more than $15,000 in a years-long fight to keep his pet croc. Mr Hogg claims to be the victim of a departmental “vendetta” and has demanded compensation after spending $30,000 on an “escape-proof” enclosure.

“It’s a bullsh-t cover up to make me look like the bad guy,” he said.

The croc shooting is under investigation by DES.

EARLIER

The Innisfail man that dumped two bloodied crocodiles outside a government building has alleged he has been the victim of a witch-hunt and is demanding compensation after being forced to kill or “dispose of” his two pet salties.

Landcare contractor Adrian Hogg legally kept the two saltwater crocs named Big Boy and Little Girl in a purpose-built enclosure at his property west of Innisfail.

After being granted a permit in 2018, reforms to outlaw the keeping of dangerous animals in August 2020 meant a licence to keep the crocs that expired in late 2021 was not renewed.

Innisfail man Adrian Hogg took this image of one of the crocs he allegedly killed.

An unsuccessful attempt to overturn a decision by the Department of Environment to not renew the permit ended with a “cruel” ultimatum to rehome the crocs or have them euthanized by a vet.

The department is now investigating the shooting of the two crocs.

“It’s a bullsh*t cover up to make me look like the bad guy,” he said.

One of the crocodile outside the Innisfail Department of Environment office.

“They want to make me look like a gun wielding maniac that killed my own pets.

“They have got a vendetta against me, because I have worked for them before.”

Adrian Hogg who lives on a large and remote rainforest block killed his two pet crocodiles last week. Picture: Brian Cassey

The former DES wildlife officer insists the most humane and safe way to euthanise a large croc is to shoot them in the head and taking the dead animals to the Innisfail office was done to prove they had not been released into the wild.

“I went there in business hours and took them from the ute and out them on the ground, I actually threw them on the ground,” he said.

“I said ‘these are my croc you wanted dead and they are dead, I hope you are happy with yourselves’.

Adrian Hogg handling a large croc when he was 21-years-old.

“You’re are supposed to be protecting wildlife not ordering the death of protected native animals.”

Seeking legal advice Mr Hogg reached out last year to well-known croc keeper John Casey who spent up to $15,000 in a fight to keep a saltie named Charlene in his backyard near Proserpine.

“I put him onto my solicitor to get some legal advice about what I went through,” he said.

“It’s wrong what they are doing, poor bugger.”

Mr Casey has been granted a permit to keep his pet croc for its lifetime.

John Casey helps his pet croc, Charlene, cool off at his Lethebrook property. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Not giving up the fight Mr Hogg said he would seek financial compensation for the thousands spent on special enclosure to meet department requirements.

“I think $100,000 would do it or maybe more,” he said.

“If they can make you spend money and change the rules and leave you high and dry, how is that good for confidence in the government?

“I have followed the law every step of the way and it has cost me my life dream.

“I am so disappointed and heartbroken.”

A DES spokesman said Mr Hogg was not directed to shoot the two crocodiles but ordered to rehome the animals or arrange for a vet to humanely euthanise the animals.

“DES is investigating the nature of the crocodiles’ deaths to determine if any breaches of nature conservation legislation have been committed,” the spokesman said.

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Originally published as Pet croc owner demands cash over order to kill saltie