Cruelty charges dropped against 'Reptile Guy' who gave snake an enema

Animal cruelty charges have been dropped against a Mission, B.C., man who was accused of giving a snake an enemawithout proper sedation or a veterinary licence.

Mike Hopcraft, founder of Reptile Guy Rescue and Education Centre, was charged over the summer aftervideo of the procedure was sent to the B.C.SPCA.

Two charges of animal cruelty and one charge of operating without a vet's licence were dropped on Wednesday.

On Friday, Hopcraft saidhe had "mixed" emotions: happy the prosecution is over, but struggling with what to do next.

"It's good news, obviously, the charges are dropped, but everything we've lost because of this," he said.

"Our reputation was basically destroyed ...it's almost irreversible. It's going to be hard to build back up what we hadbefore."

Birthday parties, school presentations

At one time, Hopcraft hadmore than 300 reptiles includinglizards and snakesat his rescue centre. He said he worked to rehabilitate animals that others had grown tired of or had mistreated.

He also hostedbirthday parties and madeclass presentations.

Hopcraft said he was evicted from his building and lost thousands in income aftercharges were laid.

He said he gave the blood python and enema to help with a bowel obstruction. Hopcroftsaidpain medication or sedatives wouldn't have been necessaryand that he spoke with a veterinarian beforehand,who told him the snake wouldn't be in danger.

The B.C. Prosecution Service said the charges were dropped after the Crown received new information from investigators, but astatement didn't givespecifics.

Hopcraft raided in 2015

Previously, the B.C.SPCA raided Hopcraft'sestablishment in 2015, resultingin the seizure of 14 reptiles, 46 rats and six dead animals.

The SPCA saidtheanimals were suffering from dehydration, lack of access to water, lack of UV lighting where appropriate, inadequate space anduntreated medical conditions, amongother problems.

Hopcraftdenied allegations of animal cruelty at the time, but said the raid made him consider shutting down.

With files from Yvette Brend