Blaby District Council

Summary

A "Dangerous Wild Animal" is defined as any animal which is included on the list of animals defined in the schedule of Kinds of Dangerous Wild Animals specified in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1981.

No person may keep any dangerous wild animal without first obtaining a licence from their local authority. This aims to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public and which safeguard the welfare of the animals.

How do I apply for a dangerous wild animal licence?

1. Research if you require a licence for your particular animal by checking the Schedule of Species (under External website section below), and consider the conditions provided under the Downloads section below;
2. If you have any doubts or wish to discuss licence conditions, please contact us;
3. Request an application form or print your own from the link below;
4. Once completed, sign and return to us along with your payment. The cost of a 2 year licence is £200;
5. Before granting any licence the local authority is required to consider an inspection report of the premises produced by a veterinary surgeon. The cost of this inspection will be recharged to the applicant (variable price).

Downloads

• Dangerous wild animal licence conditions (PDF, 10KB)
• Dangerous wild animal licence application guidance (PDF, 14KB)

Printable forms

• Application form for a dangerous wild animal licence (PDF, 47KB)

Further information

Disqualification’s and Cancellations

Where a person is convicted of an offence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 or under:

• Protection of animals Act 1911-1964;
• Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912-1964;
• Pet Animals Act 1951;
• Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963;
• Riding Establishments Act 1964-1970;
• Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.
• Animal Welfare Act 2006
• The court may cancel any licence he may hold to keep a dangerous wild animal and disqualify him, whether or not he a current holder, from holding such a licence for such a period as the court thinks fit. The cancellation or disqualification may be suspended by the court in the event of an appeal.

Your Right 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.

Power of Entry and Seizure of Animals

If a dangerous wild animal is being kept without the authority of a licence or in contravention of a licence condition, the local authority may seize the animal and retain it, destroy it or otherwise dispose of it. The local authority is not liable to compensation and may recover costs from the keeper of the animal at the time of this seizure.

Local authority's may authorise competent persons to enter premises either licensed under the Act or specified in an application for a licence, at all reasonable times, producing if required their authority, and the authorised officers may inspect these premises and an animal in them.

Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2000.

External websites

• DEFRA - Schedule of Species (external link)
• Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (external link)
• Dangerous Wild Animals Act information (external link)

Contact us

Officer / Team	Dog Warden Service
Postal address	Blaby District Council Council Offices Desford Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2EP
E-mail address	environmental.health@blaby.gov.uk
Telephone	0116 272 7515
Fax	0116 272 7594

If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.

This page was last updated on 13th August 2010