The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 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

When is a licence required?

Animals which are classified as "dangerous wild animals" and can be anything from an Aadvark to a Zebra, are identified in a schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Anyone wishing to keep one of these animals requires a Licence issued by the local authority.

Click here for the Dangerous Wild Animal schedule

This licensing procedure does not apply to animals kept in:

• a zoo
• a circus
• a pet shop
• a place registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 for the purpose of performing experiments.

A person is held to be the keeper of the animal if they have it in their possession. They remain the 'keeper' and therefore are responsible for the animal, even if it escapes or it is being transported etc.

A licence holder has to contact the licensing authority for approval if animals are to be moved to another destination.

What conditions are required by a licence?

Before a licence is issued, the local authority must be satisfied that certain 'dangerous wild animal' conditions, relating to safety and the welfare of the animals, are met.

Permission must be sought if the animal is to be moved into another Local Authority area. The relevant local authorities are required to consult with each other before permission can be granted.

Disqualification and cancellation

A person may not be granted a licence if he or she has been 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.

On conviction under any of the above legislation, the Court may cancel any licence to keep a dangerous wild animal and disqualify the person 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.

Power of Entry

Local Authorities 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 any animal in them.

Offences and Penalties

Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without an appropriate licence or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with any licence condition shall be subject to a fine.

Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall be subject to a fine.

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 pay compensation and, 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.

Making an application

If you wish to apply for a licence, you can do so by completing the 'dangerous wild animal' application form online this will be submitted electronically. However, we cannot process your completed form until we are in receipt of the current licence fee, which should be sent to Environmental Services at the address shown at the bottom of this page

You can complete the licence application form online here

Click for a list of our current Licensing Fees

An application to a local authority for a licence must be made (unless in exceptional circumstances) by the person who proposes to own and possess the animal.

Once an application has been received, we will arrange for an inspection of the premises by an authorised officer of the Council.

Before granting a Licence, we will consider the report of this inspection concerning the applicant, the premises and other relevant matters.

We will not grant a licence unless we are satisfied that all licence conditions can be met and it will not be contrary to the public interest on grounds of safety, nuisance or otherwise.

According to the wishes of the applicant, a licence comes into force on either the day on which it is granted in which case it expires on 31 December of that same year, or on 1 January next in which case it expires on 31 December of that next year. If an application for renewal is made before the date of expiration, the licence continues, until the application is determined.

On the death of a licence holder, the licence continues in the name of the personal representatives for 28 days only and then expires unless application is made for a new licence within that time, in which case it continues, until the new application is determined.

Other matters to consider

Before making an application for a licence to keep a dangerous wild animal you are advised to consider the following:

• is the activity likely to give rise to nuisance?
• can you comply with the requirements of the licence conditions?
• what arrangements will you make for the care of the animal if you are away from the premises?

For further information please contact the Health and Safety Section.

Contact Details:

E-mail: environmental.services@tendringdc.gov.uk
Address: Environmental Services, Council Offices, Thorpe Road, Weeley,
Essex, CO16 9AJ
Telephone: 01255 686767