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Exoctic Dangerous Wild Animal Licenses
Dangerous Wild Animals Licensing
There has been a rise in the number of persons purchasing and keeping dangerous wild animals without a licence. The keeping of certain species of wild animals is controlled by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. No person may keep any dangerous wild animal without first obtaining a licence from their local authority. Failure to do so may result in prosecution. If you are in any doubt about the condition of any animal please contact the Council for advice before purchase.
Please click on the link below to view the Conditions. This document is in Word format:-
Dangerous Wild Animal Licence Conditions (PDF 20Kb)
Please click on the link below to view the Conditions. This document is in Word format:-
Dangerous Wild Animal Licence Conditions (PDF 20Kb)
Licences to Keep Dangerous or Wild Animals
1. Applications for a licence must be made to the Local Authority.
A Local Authority shall not grant a Licence under this Act unless the application contains the following information:-
(a) specifies the species (whether one or more) of animal, and the number of animals of each species, proposed to be kept under the authority of the licence;
(b) specifies the premises where any animal concerned will normally be held;
(c) is made to the Local Authority in whose area those premises are situated;
(d) is made by a person who is neither under the age of 18 not disqualified under this Act from keeping any dangerous wild animal; and
(e) is accompanied by such fee as the Authority may stipulate (being a fee which is in the Authority's opinion sufficient to meet the direct and indirect costs which it may incur as a result of the application).
A Local Authority shall not grant a Licence under this Act unless the application contains the following information:-
(a) specifies the species (whether one or more) of animal, and the number of animals of each species, proposed to be kept under the authority of the licence;
(b) specifies the premises where any animal concerned will normally be held;
(c) is made to the Local Authority in whose area those premises are situated;
(d) is made by a person who is neither under the age of 18 not disqualified under this Act from keeping any dangerous wild animal; and
(e) is accompanied by such fee as the Authority may stipulate (being a fee which is in the Authority's opinion sufficient to meet the direct and indirect costs which it may incur as a result of the application).
There is an application fee payable at the time an application is made. Please click on the link below to view the current licensing charges.
Licensing Charges
The applicant will also be required to pay the cost of inspections carried out by the Council's authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner.
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the licence holder is to continue to keep the animal(s) named on the licence.
Licensing Charges
The applicant will also be required to pay the cost of inspections carried out by the Council's authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner.
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the licence holder is to continue to keep the animal(s) named on the licence.
Council's Duties
The Council will not grant a Licence unless it is satisfied that:-
2.1 (a) It is not contrary to the public interest to do so on the grounds of safety, nuisance or other grounds.
(b) The applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence to keep the animals listed on the application.
(c) (i) The animal(s) will be kept in accommodation that prevents escape and is suitable in respect of construction, size, temperature, drainage and cleanliness.
(ii) That the animal(s) will be supplied with adequate and suitable food drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable intervals.
(d) Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure the protection of the animal(s) in case
(e) All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
(f) The animal(s) accommodation is such that it can take adequate exercise.
2.2 (i) Where the Council decides to grant a Licence, it will specify such conditions as it sees fit and in each case these conditions will specify that:
(ii) only the person named on the licence shall be entitled to keep the animal.
(iii) the animal shall only be kept on the premises named on the licence.
(iv) the animal shall not be moved or may only be moved in accordance with conditions specified in the licence.
(v) the licensee must hold a current insurance policy, approved by the Council, which insures against liability for damage caused by the animal
(vi) Only the species and number of animals listed on the licence may be kept
(vii) The licensee shall make a copy of the licence and its contents available to any other person listed on the licence as being able to look after the animal.
(viii) Apply such other conditions that in the opinion of the Council are necessary or desirable for screening the objectives specified in the Act.
2.1 (a) It is not contrary to the public interest to do so on the grounds of safety, nuisance or other grounds.
(b) The applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence to keep the animals listed on the application.
(c) (i) The animal(s) will be kept in accommodation that prevents escape and is suitable in respect of construction, size, temperature, drainage and cleanliness.
(ii) That the animal(s) will be supplied with adequate and suitable food drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable intervals.
(d) Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure the protection of the animal(s) in case
(e) All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
(f) The animal(s) accommodation is such that it can take adequate exercise.
2.2 (i) Where the Council decides to grant a Licence, it will specify such conditions as it sees fit and in each case these conditions will specify that:
(ii) only the person named on the licence shall be entitled to keep the animal.
(iii) the animal shall only be kept on the premises named on the licence.
(iv) the animal shall not be moved or may only be moved in accordance with conditions specified in the licence.
(v) the licensee must hold a current insurance policy, approved by the Council, which insures against liability for damage caused by the animal
(vi) Only the species and number of animals listed on the licence may be kept
(vii) The licensee shall make a copy of the licence and its contents available to any other person listed on the licence as being able to look after the animal.
(viii) Apply such other conditions that in the opinion of the Council are necessary or desirable for screening the objectives specified in the Act.
The Council may at any time revoke or amend any licence condition.
3. Power to seize and to dispose of without consent.
3. Power to seize and to dispose of without consent.
The Council can use this power:-
(a) where an animal being kept contrary to Section 1 of the Act.
(b) any condition of the Licence is contravened or not complied with.
In such cases the Council may seize the animal, retain in its possession, or destroy or otherwise dispose of. Any expenditure incurred can be recovered by the Council.
4. Your Rights of Appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence, or by any conditions to which the licence is subject, may appeal to the Magistrates Court. The Courts may give such direction regarding the licence and its conditions as it thinks proper.
5. Penalties
Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without a licence to do so, or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with any licence condition shall be subject to a fine currently Level 5 not exceeding £5,000.
Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall be subject to a fine currently Level 5 not exceeding £5,000.
(b) any condition of the Licence is contravened or not complied with.
In such cases the Council may seize the animal, retain in its possession, or destroy or otherwise dispose of. Any expenditure incurred can be recovered by the Council.
4. Your Rights of Appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence, or by any conditions to which the licence is subject, may appeal to the Magistrates Court. The Courts may give such direction regarding the licence and its conditions as it thinks proper.
5. Penalties
Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without a licence to do so, or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with any licence condition shall be subject to a fine currently Level 5 not exceeding £5,000.
Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall be subject to a fine currently Level 5 not exceeding £5,000.
Further Information & Forms
Copies of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and other legislation mentioned can be purchased from Her Majesty's Stationary Office. Please click on the link below to access this website.
www.hmso.gov.uk
Further information can also be obtained from the Environmental Health department on 01249 706555.
Should you require a licence, please click on the link below and print off the application form and return it in to the address on the form with the appropriate remittance:-
Dangerous Wild Animal Licence Application Form (PDF 16Kb)
www.hmso.gov.uk
Further information can also be obtained from the Environmental Health department on 01249 706555.
Should you require a licence, please click on the link below and print off the application form and return it in to the address on the form with the appropriate remittance:-
Dangerous Wild Animal Licence Application Form (PDF 16Kb)
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