Dangerous Wild Animals Licences

Licence summary

Anyone who wishes to keep and house a dangerous wild animal will need a licence from the local authority under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (1976 Act). The number of animals along with the type that may be accommodated will be specified on the licence along with other specific conditions.

The Secretary of State has specified within the 1976 Act the animals that are considered Dangerous Wild Animals.  A list of these animals is available here.

A local authority will require its authorised veterinary surgeon or practitioner to inspect premises to which a new or renewal applicaiton has been made to the authority of a premises that holds a licence at any point during the period in which that licence is in effect.

A licence will be issued for two years starting from the date the licence is granted by the authority.  It is the licensees responsibility to make a renewal application to the licensing authority before the expiry of the licence.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be over the age of 18 years of age.

The 1976 Act prohibits the local authority from granting a licence unless it is it satisfied that:

(a)  it is not contrary to the public interest on the grounds of safety, nuisance or otherwise to grant the licence;

(b)  the applicant for the licence is a suitable person to hold a licence under this Act;

(c)  any animal concerned will at all times of its being kept only under the authority of the licence—

(i) be held in accommodation which secures that the animal will not escape, which is suitable as regards construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation, drainage and cleanliness and which is suitable for the number of animals proposed to be held in the accommodation, and

 (ii) be supplied with adequate and suitable food, drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable intervals;

(d) appropriate steps will at all such times be taken for the protection of any animal concerned in case of fire or other emergency;

(e) all reasonable precautions will be taken at all such times to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases;

(f) while any animal concerned is at the premises where it will normally be held, its accommodation is such that it can take adequate exercise.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence is available here.

Application Evaluation Process

A fee will be payable for applications and if the licence is granted conditions may be attached.  The fees list contains the current fee payable for each application type. 

The following criteria will be considered when the application is being evaluated:

(a) conditions that, while any animal concerned is being kept only under the authority of the licence,—

(i)  the animal shall be kept by no person other than such person or persons as is or are specified (whether by name or description) in the licence;

(ii)  the animal shall normally be held at such premises as are specified in the licence;

(iii)  the animal shall not be moved from those premises or shall only be moved from them in such circumstances as are specified in the licence;

(iv)  the person to whom the licence is granted shall hold a current insurance policy which insures him and any other person entitled to keep the animal under the authority of the licence against liability for any damage which may be caused by the animal; and

(v)  the terms of any such policy shall be satisfactory in the opinion of the authority;

(b) conditions restricting the species (whether one or more) of animal, and number of animals of each species, which may be kept under the authority of the licence;

(c) a condition that the person to whom the licence is granted shall at all reasonable times make available a copy of the licence to any person entitled to keep any animal under the authority of the licence;

(d) such other conditions as in the opinion of the authority are necessary or desirable for the purpose of securing the objects specified in paragraphs (c) to (f) of subsection (3) of this section.

The period of validity of a licence for dangerous wild animals is a maximum of two calendar years.

Exemptions

The provisions of this Act shall not apply to any dangerous wild animal kept in:—

1. a zoo within the meaning of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 for which a licence is in force (or is not for the time being required) under that Act;
2. a circus;
3. premises licensed as a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951;
4. a place which is a designated establishment within the meaning of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No -It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Authority within a reasonable period, please contact us. If you have applied online you can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service. If you have applied in writing or need wish to contact the Licensing Authority via another method please telephone the Licensing hotline on 020 7641 8549 or email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Apply

To apply for a licence you can complete the form below and send it to the council via post.

• Apply to obtain a dangerous wild animal licence

Register

A public register is available to view at the Council's Offices during normal office hours.  To make an appointment to view the register please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8548 or alternatively email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application and Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

The council operates a complaints procedure.  To view the complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service you have received please click here.

Other Redress

If there is a concern about noise, pollution, etc please contact Westminster City Council's Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000 (24 hrs) or email environmentalactionline@westminster.gov.uk.  Also should any person have a complaint relating to a licensed premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required licence please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations

Pet Care Trust (PCT)

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons