Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Act of Parliament | |
Status: Current legislation | |
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Revised text of statute as amended |
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (c. 38) is a
Its purpose was to ensure that when private individuals kept dangerous wild animals, they do so in circumstances which do not create a risk to the public, and which safeguard the welfare of the animals.
The act's schedule designates the species covered, such as many
Effects of the Act
Licences are required for any animal listed on a schedule under the law. These licences will only be granted when the authority is satisfied that it would not be contrary to public interest, not on the grounds of safety or nuisance and that the animal's accommodation is adequate and secure.
Where the local authority grant a licence it shall impose conditions on the licence covering issues such as: -
- a requirement that the animal be kept only by a person or persons named on the licence;
- restrictions on the movement of the animal from the premises as specified on the licence; and
- a requirement that the licence holder has a current insurance policy which ensures both licence holders and others against any liability caused by the animal.
Species scheduled as dangerous
The act has two separate but almost identical schedules, respectively applicable to
Mammals:
- Macropodidae: the western grey, eastern grey, and red kangaroo; the wallaroo
- most
- the Tasmanian devil
- All
- the aardvark, fossa, giant armadillo, giant anteater, and pronghorn
- sheep
- domestic dog
- domestic horse
- Larger Felidae
- Many European otter
- domestic pig (farmed wild boaris also excepted in Scotland)
- Viverrinae except the small Indian civet
- common seal and grey seal
- Hyenas except the aardwolf
- domestic reindeer
- Many hybrids where one or both parents are classified as dangerous
Birds:
Reptiles:
- Crocodilians: all Crocodylidae, Gavialidae
- Snakes: all Hydrophiidae, Viperidae; many Colubridae
- All Helodermatidae
Invertebrates:
- Spiders: All
- Scorpions: All Buthidae; and Hemiscorpius lepturus
References
External links
- Text of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.