Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 it is an offence for any animal of a kind listed in the schedule to the Act to be kept without a licence from the local authority.

If such animals are kept without a licence, the local authority is empowered to “seize and either keep, destroy or otherwise dispose of unlicensed animals”.

The schedule covers a long list of a wide variety of species. This Council currently licences wild boars, ostriches, bison and llamas under this legislation.

Veterinary surgeons inspect the premises for grant and renewal of licences and conditions are imposed which relate both to the welfare of the animals and the safety of the public.

Licence fees