Man slithers away without conviction after trading PlayStation for snake
A snake-lover has been done by wildlife officers after his dodgy Facebook deal sparked an illegal animal trade investigation on the Mornington Peninsula.
South East
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A man has traded his PlayStation for an illegal and high-risk exotic snake.
Wildlife officers were called to a Mt Eliza address after it was discovered the 20-year-old resident exchanged his gaming console for a pet milk snake over Facebook.
The red, black and white striped snakes are a common household pet in the US but are illegal in Australia as they can carry devastating disease.
He pleaded guilty in the Frankston Magistrates’ Court to keeping an illegal and high-risk invasive snake and was fined $500 without conviction.
Victorian Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said the group was “very concerned” to receive a call about the exotic species in Victoria.
“Milk snakes originate from North America and are illegal to keep in Victoria as they are exotic and can spread potentially devastating diseases to our wildlife,” she said.
“(They have) enormous potential to threaten our native species and agriculture.
“It is illegal to trade in controlled pest animals … they are often imported and kept in ways that are cruel.”
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The maximum penalty for importing, keeping or selling a controlled pest animal is
$39,652.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning urges anyone with information about the illegal possession and trade of exotic species to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.