Jake Stinson charged with 26 animal cruelty offences following shock Bundaberg traffic stop

A well-known snake catcher has been charged with animal cruelty offences after police allegedly found more than two dozen live and dead snakes in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop. SEE THE VIDEO

The 22-year-old Moore Park man charged with 26 counts of serious animal cruelty has been identified as Jake Stinson, a licensed snake catcher operating in Bundaberg as Jake’s Reptile Relocations.

Police confirmed Mr Stinson was the man charged after officers allegedly discovered 26 snakes in his van, 13 of which were dead and in “various states of decomposition”.

Jake Stinson of Jake's Reptile Relocations has been identified as the main charged with 26 counts of serious animal cruelty after police found multiple snakes, dead and alive, in his van. Picture: Bundaberg Now

Mr Stinson’s links to the Jake’s Reptile Relocations Facebook page were also confirmed by police.

Mr Stinson did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.

On March 3, one day after police discovered the snakes in Mr Stinson’s van, he said he was “unavailable to take calls or do any relocations for a bit” in a post on the Jake’s Reptile Relocations Facebook page.

Mr Stinson is one of the main contacts for Bundaberg residents seeking the services of a snake catcher, with reviews describing him as “very polite and professional”.

“We had a 5ft eastern brown snake in our garden shed,’ said one review.

“We phoned Jake who responded and came to our rescue and caught the snake which wasn’t the easiest job.

“He is very professional, prompt and brave.”

A 2020 profile of Mr Stinson on Bundaberg council’s “good news” website, Bundaberg Now, said he grew up in Canberra before moving to Bundaberg in 2018.

Jake Stinson is a popular snake catcher in the Bundaberg region, described by one client as "very polite and professional". Picture: Jake’s Reptile Relocations / Facebook

After learning his trade from snake catchers in Canberra, Bateman’s Bay and Bundaberg, Mr Stinson obtained his certification in 2020, he said.

“I’ve always loved snakes...,” he said.

“Once you hold your first python and see that they’re a really beautiful animal you get a real appreciation for them.”

On Tuesday police released information about the discovery of more than two dozen living and dead snakes in the back of a van during a routine traffic stop in Bundaberg.

Police pulled over the red P-plate driver for “traffic matters” about 7.10pm Saturday, March 2, while it was travelling along Woongarra St.

They then allegedly discovered 26 snakes, 13 of which were dead and in “various states of decomposition” throughout the van. Most of the snakes were types of pythons.

He was charged with 26 counts of serious animal cruelty.

Bundaberg’s Criminal Investigation Branch was then called in to seize the snakes which are a protected species under the Nature Conservation Act.

Video released by police show officers searching the vehicle, with one telling the van’s alleged owner “you can’t just have a creature sitting in a box for a couple of days”.

A police search of a car in Bundaberg has found multiple snakes, dead and alive, in the vehicle.

“You were going to release (one of the snakes) but you were too busy and you wanted to get home?” asks another officer.

“Yeah,” the accused replies.

As the search progresses, officers try to understand the situation.

“You’ve got a snake in there that you don’t know if it’s alive or dead, you can’t tell me where you got it, you don’t know how long you’ve had it, is that right?” the officer says.

“You’ve got no idea at all mate?”

“I think it’s alive,” the driver says.

A 22-year-old, from Moore Park, has been charged with 26 counts of serious animal cruelty.

“There’s one just sitting in your car, mate,” the officer later says as another snake is found.

The snakes were taken to an emergency animal hospital with some treated before being handed over to a wildlife rescue organisation for further care.

He is scheduled to appear at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on April 22.

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