In 2007, the Victoria state government amended the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 to ban the removal of venom glands from snakes unless performed for a therapeutic reason by a registered veterinarian. The Australian 1986 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act states that animals must be anesthetized for the duration of an operation. Legal questions have been raised about amateur venomoid surgeries in Australia. For instance, a veterinarian review on reptile surgery published in 2006 stated that 'such practices should be discouraged' due to both ethical and animal welfare concerns. However, this procedure is highly controversial among herpetologists, and is considered animal cruelty by many experts on venomous snakes, particularly in reference to the procedure being performed by unlicensed hobbyists with inadequate analgesia.

Īdvocates of this procedure state that it is done for safety reasons and have published methods for this surgery. However, the duct and gland have been known to regenerate, and supposedly 'safe' snakes have killed mice and successfully envenomated humans. Most venomoid procedures consist of either removing the venom gland itself, or severing the duct between the gland and the fang.

Removal of fangs is uncommon, as snakes frequently regenerate teeth, and the more invasive procedure of removing the underlying maxillary bone would be fatal. The removal of venom glands or fangs of exhibited animals may be by surgery or simple mutilation some or all of these procedures have been considered illegal and unethical. This procedure has been used for venomous snakes kept as pets or used in public demonstrations in order to remove the risk of injury or death when handled. A venomoid is a venomous snake that has undergone a surgical procedure to remove or inhibit its production of venom.

Venomoid by J.A. Kossler