Snake catcher denies planting deadly reptile on Nunawading bowser
A Melbourne snake catcher has dismissed as “crap” claims he planted a highly venomous tiger snake on a petrol pump at a Coles Express service station in Nunawading after police were called.
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A prominent Melbourne snake catcher has denied planting a deadly reptile at a Nunawading petrol station.
Police were called in after Coles Express service station management reviewed CCTV of the period before Raymond Hoser removed a highly venomous 1.2m tiger snake from a bowser on Wednesday.
Footage of the snake’s capture was aired on television news that night.
Mr Hoser, who runs the company Snakebusters, said any suggestion he planted the snake was “crap”.
“I don’t plant snakes to generate business,” he told the Herald Sun.
“I have heard of others doing it but not me.”
Mr Hoser said he had not been contacted by police and it was possible industry rivals were out to get him.
“I’ve had no calls from cops and I don’t expect one,” he said.
“All claims against me are false.
“I am the original snake catcher of Melbourne – they are jealous and spreading crap about me.
“Everything is above board.”
Mr Hoser said he recorded the call-out he received to the Nunawading job.
Coles looked over the footage after concern about how such a dangerous creature could be on one of their pumps.
Melbourne’s online reptile circles have been abuzz with speculation about how the snake came to be at the servo, at the intersection of Springvale and Whitehorse roads.
The mainland tiger is rated as Australia’s third-most venomous snake.
Victoria Police is investigating.
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