‘Reptile Guy’ denies SPCA claim he is mistreating animals
Posted December 5, 2015 9:03 am.
Last Updated December 5, 2015 9:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MISSION (NEWS 1130) – It’s been a bad week for a man known as “The Reptile Guy” in Mission. The SPCA took away dozens of reptiles and rats this week claiming mistreatment.
But Mike Hopcraft says he simply takes in animals that are already distressed or need care.
Hopcraft believes they’re going to recommend animal cruelty charges since it’s an ongoing issue. “Everybody knows the SPCA has always had this thing with reptile people and reptile things. They don’t like exotics in captivity, they don’t like exotics on display. To them we are exploiting these animals to make a profit. I’m not really making a profit, I just sold my private vehicle to keep paying my bills on this place.”
He says he takes in animals and tries to nurse them back. “I just don’t understand the point of my job if I’m not allowed to do that. They [the SPCA] comes in and any animal they see that looks like it might be underweight or it might have a bump, or it might have a scrape or something, that is my fault. [They believe] I did that to my animal and I am not looking after it, [but] I am rehabbing.
In a statement, the SPCA said they don’t execute these warrants unless they have a reason, but didn’t elaborate.
