Dangerous wild animals licence
The keeping of certain species of wild animals is controlled by
the The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
No person may keep any dangerous wild animal without first
obtaining a licence from their local authority.
The animals for which a licence is required before they may be kept
are listed in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification)
(Scotland) Order 2008.
Applying for a licence
Applications for a licence must be made to the Council, and a
licence may be issued providing the applicant is not disqualified
or has been convicted under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act
1976.
To make an application for a licence to keep dangerous wild
animals, download an application form:
There is an application fee payable at the time an application
is made. The fee as at 1st April 2011 for administrative
costs is £27.80.
The applicant will also be required to pay the cost of inspections
carried out by the Council's authorised Veterinary Surgeon or
Veterinary Practitioner and Environmental Health
Officer. The Environmental Health Officer costs vary.
Except in exceptional circumstances, the person making the
application must be the person who owns and possesses or proposes
to own and possess the animal to which the application
applies.
Where a licence is granted that licence and any subsequent licence
will expire on the 31st 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
Before granting a licence the Licensing Inspector must be
satisfied that:
- it is not contrary to the public interest to do so on the
grounds of safety, nuisance or other grounds.
- the applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence to keep
the animals listed on the application.
- the animal(s) will be kept in accommodation that prevents its
escape and is suitable in respect of construction, size,
temperature, drainage and cleanliness.
- that the animal(s) will be supplied with adequate and suitable
food drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable
intervals.
- appropriate steps will be taken to ensure the protection of the
animal(s) in case of fire or other emergency.
- all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of
infectious diseases.
- the animal(s) accommodation is such that it can take adequate
exercise.
- where the Council issues a licence, that licence will be
subject to such conditions as the Council sees fit and in each case
these conditions will specify that:
- only the person named on the licence shall be entitled to keep
the animal.
- the animal shall only be kept on the premises named on the
licence.
- the animal shall not be moved or may only be moved in
accordance with conditions specified in the licence.
- the licensee must hold a current insurance policy, approved by
the Council, which insures against liability for damage caused by
the animal.
- only the species and number of animals listed on the licence
may be kept.
- 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.
- the Council may at any time revoke or amend any licence
condition apart from those covered by 8 a) to 8 f) above.
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 and the Courts may give such direction regarding
the licence and its conditions as it thinks proper.
Offences and 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 not exceeding
£2,000.
Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector
or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall
be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.
Where a person keeps an animal without a licence or where a
person fails to comply with a licence condition, Inspectors from
the Council may seize the animal and may either retain it or have
it destroyed or disposed of (to a zoo or elsewhere) without
compensation to the owner.
Where the Council incurs any expense in seizing, retaining or
disposing of an animal then the person who was the keeper of the
animal shall be liable for those costs.
Further Information
For further information on licences to keep dangerous wild
animals, contact the Environmental Health Team on 01738 476476 or
email EnvironmentalHealth@pkc.gov.uk.
