Ben Madilynn
Victoria Police are cracking down on illegal pets after the discovery of the state’s largest known exotic animal trade syndicate.
Certain types of tortoises, pythons and hedgehogs are among the illegal animals authorities are seizing amid fears they are harming domestic animals and native wildlife and agriculture.
Police made multiple arrests over the trade network in July and Crime Stoppers has now launched a new campaign encouraging Victorians to surrender illegal pets.
Agriculture Victoria biosecurity manager Adam Kaye said exotic animals are often smuggled into the country and sold on the black market for thousands of dollars.
“[The] animals are in small containers, dehydration, stress, lot of them end up dying.
“If they’re not quarantined properly they risk things like rabies, foot-and-mouth disease …stuff our domestic pets haven’t seen before and they’re not ready for them.
“If you have found some of these animals or you have one, now is the time to hand it in before we knock on your door.”
There are four shelters across Melbourne where you can hand in these illegal pets, with no questions asked.
Exotic animal owners who want to hold on to their peculiar pets risk a maximum penalty of $95,000 if they are caught.
Unique animal lovers can opt for legal and native animal alternatives, including the Olive Python.
Any suspicious activity can be anonymously reported to Crime Stoppers.
