A WIDNES pet shop owner is threatening legal action after a reptile show set for Walton Hall was cancelled by an animal rights group.

Dave Hogg, who runs Reptile World in Gladstone Street, and organised the event, fears his losses could run into four figures.

The show, where breeders sell reptiles, such as snakes, frogs and spiders, had been booked in January.

It was called off last Tuesday after the Animal Protection Agency warned Warrington Council the activity was illegal.

Mr Hogg disputes their claim and believes cancelling shows could cause more damage to animal welfare by encouraging illegal trading.

He said: “They have taken the decision without checking the facts or checking with the people with experience.

“All these animals are bred by breeders. They are not being taken from their natural environment and being brought into this country.

“If these shows keep getting cancelled then we will go back 15 years to when people were trading in car parks from the back of their cars.”

He said he has already spent ‘a couple of thousand of pounds’ on the event and that even more could be lost in expected sales.

Elaine Toland, director of the Animal Protection Agency praised the council. A similar show in London was also called off last week.

She said: “We will hopefully soon see an end to illegal animal trafficking via these disturbing events as more councils, like Warrington, take responsible, preventative action.

“Exotic pet markets have been likened to large jumble sales but instead of old clothes, frightened wild animals in small, plastic tubs are on offer.”

She called the shows ‘inhumane’ and said selling animals in markets was made illegal in 1983.

A spokesman for Warrington Council confirmed the event had been cancelled.