A HOPPERS Crossing man was fined $5000 last week for breaching conditions relating to the keeping of reptiles.
Thirty-four-year-old Adam Leslie Elliott received the fine after pleading guilty to 11 offences under the Wildlife Act 1975 and Wildlife Regulations 2002 at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
DSE Wildlife Officer Emily Gibson said the charges arose following a search warrant at Mr Elliott’s home in May last year and an inspection of the pet shop where Mr Elliott works as a licensed assistant.
“The charges relate to the keeping of reptiles such as geckoes, monitors and pythons,” Ms Gibson said.
The charges include breaching conditions of an Advanced Private Wildlife Licence; failure to keep accurate records relating to the purchase, sale and breeding of wildlife, failure to keep wildlife in secure enclosures and failure to comply with the conditions of import and export permits.
Mr Elliott said the substantial fine should send a clear message to people with wildlife licences to comply with the conditions of those licences.
