MELTON residents are calling for authorities to reverse a ban on a local reptile handler known for his popular snake show.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment cancelled Raymond Hoser’s wildlife demonstrator licence in August last year after he pleaded guilty in the County Court to nine offences, including demonstrating venomous snakes closer than three metres to the public and using more than one venomous snake at a time.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal this month upheld DSE’s decision to cancel Mr Hoser’s licence after he challenged the decision.
“The cancellation also extends to any licensed assistants. Victoria is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes and conditions are put in place for public safety,” a spokeswoman for the DSE said.
Melton West Primary School teacher Megan Lindsay said the school was disappointed Mr Hoser would not be able to perform his Snakebusters show as scheduled tomorrow.
“The visit has been postponed until licensing is resolved … we’re really keen for him to come out to our school,” she said.
Melton resident Suzanne Cooke had booked Mr Hoser for her son Leigh’s seventh birthday last Saturday and was upset when told he would not be attending.
“I thought it would be a great party activity for their age group, as they are really impressionable at that age.”
Melton MP Don Nardella has called on Environment Minister Ryan Smith to overturn the decision.
He said 10 employees were jobless because of the VCAT ruling.
“I’ve known Mr Hoser since 1993 and seen him at a number of festivals … the shows are important to children.”
Mr Hoser has vehemently denied DSE claims that he was acting illegally.
“We agreed to plead guilty on the provision that our licence would not be cancelled. Everything they have done is dishonest. They are demonising me … I’m 50 years old and I’ve been spent my entire life saving reptiles.
“Now I am unable to perform at this year’s Djerriwarrh festival, Bunnings in Melton and lots of children’s parties. I’ve written to the Minister for Environment but he refuses to see me,” Mr Hoser said.
Former wildlife demonstrator Jarrod Bingham, a Bacchus Marsh resident and a qualified snake handler, was also disappointed by VCAT’s ruling.
“I loved handling snakes and educating people…saving their lives through knowledge of dangerous reptiles, our message is always about safety. So it is bit of a shame,” he said.
Mr Bingham said he caught up to five snakes a day and was concerned at the lack of snake-bite first aid among residents.
“Snakes have poor eyesight, like humans being half asleep with blurred vision, so they react to sudden movement and take everything as a potential threat.
”So if you see a snake stay still, and if you are far away enough move away slowly.”
