ESSEX CHRONICLE (UK) 01 October 09 School could be prosecuted over reptile event

A school could be prosecuted for the part it played in staging a reptile event where creatures were caged in takeaway containers.

Hundreds of lizards, snakes and spiders were on sale at the Reptile Breeders Expo at Shenfield High School on Sunday, allegedly putting children's lives at risk.

As record numbers flocked to the event where some exotic animals were sold for hundreds of pounds, the Animal Protection Agency (APA) armed four private investigators with spy cameras to collect evidence it claims could lead to prosecution.

The animal rights group, which strongly believes reptiles pose a serious salmonella risk to humans, initially convinced Shenfield High to pull the plug on the event it claimed was an "illegal reptile market".

But, after the event went ahead at the eleventh hour, APA says it is sending its "damning footage" to Brentwood Borough Council and the RSPCA seeking prosecution against the organisers, Essex Reptiles and Amphibians Club, private breeders, and the school as the venue for the part they all played.

APA spokesman Elaine Toland said: "The animals were kept in takeaway containers. They need to have a very carefully controlled environment and they need space otherwise they become stressed."

She said these kind of commercial "markets" were outlawed under section two of the Pet Animals Act 1951.

"The school not only allowed it to take place but kept it a secret.

"If they really believed they were allowing a legitimate event then why all the secrecy?"

Head teacher John Fairhurst said: "The school is more than a little unhappy at the position it finds itself.

"We accepted a booking from the Federation of British Herpetologists in good faith. At the time the booking was made, we were unaware their activities were the centre of controversy.

"When, some 10 days or so before the event, it was drawn to our attention by the Animal Protection Agency that the legality of the event was a matter of dispute, we sought to cancel it.

"However, we were subsequently advised that there were no good legal grounds for so doing and we would be in breach of contract.

"Reluctantly, we reversed our decision and allowed the event to go ahead.

"We do not believe anything that happened put the health and safety of children at risk."

When the Gazette was welcomed through the doors of the event – which attracted over 1,000 visitors – the Essex Reptiles and Amphibians Club, the Federation of British Herpetologists (FBH) and private breeders all strongly denied claims the animals were in anyway distressed.

They also said private breeders were only selling surplus stock and there was no commercial selling, despite members of the public turning up.

FBH chairman Chris Newman said: "For more than 10 years members of the animal rights industry have been declaring these events are illegal but curiously not a single prosecution has ever been brought."

Chairman of The Essex Reptiles and Amphibians Club Pete Clark said a vet was present to check welfare standards.

He added: "You're more likely to get Salmonella from a burger stall or kebab shop."

Among the estimated 40 private breeders was Dave Rushen, 20, from Southampton, who has about 250 blood and ball pythons at his home.

Although he defended the size and suitability of his own display containers, he did think a small number of the breeders' containers were too small.

He said: "I can see where they (animal rights groups) are coming from, I like to give good natural displays."
School could be prosecuted over reptile event

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