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Dangerous Wild Animal Licences
Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
certain animals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates etc are listed
as being dangerous. Pet Shops owners do not need to hold a
Dangerous Wild Animal licence to sell a dangerous wild animal but
you must hold a licence issued by the Council before buying and
keeping one. If you are not sure whether an animal you want to buy
falls into this category please contact us for advice.
Very strict rules apply for the construction of the animal's
accommodation and a vet's inspection will always be required.
Anyone keeping an animal on the list without a licence runs the
risk of prosecution and confiscation of the animal.
What are Dangerous Wild
Animals? >>
How can apply for a licence?
>>
How much does a
licence cost and how long does it last? >>
What do I have to
prove in order to be granted a licence? >>
Can I appeal against a refusal to
be granted a licence? >>
Where can I obtain more
information on Dangerous Wild Animals? >>
Contact Us:
Telephone: (023) 9244 6670
Email: Environment Team
Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road,
Havant PO9 2AX
The licence doesn't apply to dangerous wild animals kept in a
zoo; circus; pet shop; or registered scientific establishment.
It is illegal to keep a dangerous wild animal without holding a
licence.
General Information:
Dangerous wild animals
There are many types of animals referred to as dangerous wild
animal, for example crocodiles, the big cats, wolves, ostriches,
many poisonous snakes, certain invertebrates etc. Many
hybrids between domestic and wild species are also classified as
dangerous.
The current list of dangerous wild animals can be found by
following this link to the Office of
Public Sector Information website (68kb) >>
Applying for a Licence
It is illegal to keep a dangerous wild animal without holding a
licence.
You can download
an Application Form here>> to print out and complete, or
contact us and we will send you one.
Fees and duration of licence
There is an application
fee>> which must be paid at the time the
application is made. In addition, your animal(s) must be inspected
by a veterinary surgeon appointed by the Council you will be
expected to pay for this inspection.
Where a licence is granted that licence and any subsequent
licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which it
relates and must be renewed before that date.
What you will need to show before being granted a
licence
Before being granted a licence the applicant must be able to
demonstrate to the Council's authorised officer:
- that they are suitably qualified to keep animals with regard to
the type and number proposed to be kept.
- that the animals will be kept in accommodation that is suitable
in respect of construction, size, temperature lighting, ventilation
and cleanliness, and will not allow the animal to escape.
- that animals will be adequately supplied with suitable food,
drink and bedding materials and (so far as is necessary) visited at
suitable intervals.
- that the animal can take adequate exercise.
- that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the
spread of infectious disease amongst the animals.
- that appropriate steps will be taken to protect the animals in
the case of fire or other emergency, including the provision of
suitable fire fighting equipment.
A licence may be refused or withheld on other grounds, for
example in the public interest on grounds of safety, nuisance or
otherwise, if those grounds are such that conditions are not
suitable for the keeping of animals.
In addition to the standard conditions a licence may also
contain special conditions that are only applicable to your
premises.
Your Right of Appeal
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by
any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the
Magistrates Court and they may give such directions regarding the
licence or its conditions as they think proper.
Further Information
The government has carried out a review of the Dangerous Wild
Animals Act - for more information follow
this link to the Department of Food and Rural affairs website
>>.