Cranbourne resident John Foley found a snake in his yard last week. 43226
By Bridget Brady
A SLITHERY stranger made its way into a Cranbourne yard last week.
Cranbourne resident John Foley said he felt he had to kill an agitated snake that made its way to his front door last Thursday.
“It became very agitated and was actually banging and attacking the front door so I pushed it off the door with a shovel,” he said.
Mr Foley said he took no joyin killing animals, but said the snake was aggressive and had his wife worried.
“My idea was to usher it back over the road and get it into the golf course but this particular snake was aggressive and trying to strike the door and get in.”
Mr Foley said he was also worried about the safety of school children who walked home near the Cranbourne Golf Course.
A Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) spokesperson said it was an offence to kill protected wildlife without authorisation, but in most circumstances DSE would not prosecute anyone who killed a snake in their yard.
“On private property the safety of the resident has priority and the safest option with venomous snakes, in most instances, is to keep away and call a snake catcher.
“On public land it is more likely that a person would be prosecuted for killing a snake,” the spokesperson said.
DSE recommends anyone who sees a snake in their yard to call DSE on 136 186 if possible so that a licensed snake catcher can remove the snake.
