Dangerous Animals

From GPG

Some animals kept for farming or pets are required to be licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 not including zoo, circus or animals kept for scientific research or undergoing veterinary treatment. This considers the species, premises, the local authority concerned with issuing the licence, and the person over 18 years of age to whom the licence can be issued if not disqualified from keeping animals under this act.

Part 3 of the Act requires that the local authority should not grant a licence unless it is satisfied that it is not contrary to public interest on the grounds of safety, nuisance or otherwise to grant the licence.

A recent review of the animals on the schedule of dangerous species was based on the ability of the animal to cause serious injury to a child.

It is recommended that a very strong recommendation is made to Trading Standards to ensure that the licence makes provision for the animals to be kept separate from the public right of way by suitable husbandry procedures or fencing.

It would be possible for an Access Officer to take action for nuisance against the keeper directly but it would be more appropriate if Trading Standards, the licensing arm for this statute, took advice from Access Officers about conditions to be stipulated in the licence. They have some useful powers of enforcement.

The advice about classes of animals considered dangerous could act as guidance in other cases.

The schedule of species considered dangerous is to be found on Defra's website