A popular Victorian snake catcher has returned home from hospital a week after he was bitten by a venomous snake.
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Mark Pelley, known professionally as The Snake Hunter, was bitten on his hand by a tiger snake after his equipment broke during a capture on March 10.
Mr Pelley received a warm welcome home from his dogs in a video shared to his social media followers by his daughter Aishah Pelley on March 17.
"Dad still has pain, numbness, can't taste, vision issues and weakness - there is still a long road to recovery ahead," she said.
Mr Pelley was admitted to intensive care and received two doses of antivenom after sustaining his first bite in 14 years of the business.
The operator based in Diamond Creek, Melbourne, has a large following on social media where he shares his work in community education and snake relocation.
"The venom went straight [into] his circulation system from a deep bite and started to have neurological effects immediately," Ms Pelley said on Facebook.
"I watched him lose consciousness very fast in front of my eyes."
Nearly $40,000 has been raised for the single father-of-four in a GoFundMe organised by Ms Pelley.
"Dad is the sole provider for our family and elderly grandmother," she said.
"Once dad gets out of hospital it may be a long time before he is able to work properly again."
Some of the donations have come in from people who had called on Mr Pelley for help in the past.
"Mark has helped us out on two occasions, removing a tiger snake from near our front steps, and searching for a snake in a bedroom of our home," one person said.
"Wishing Mark a speedy recovery, and strength to his family at this most difficult time."
