Apply for a dangerous wild animal licence

If you want to keep any animal on the dangerous wild animals list you will need a licence.

Conditions

If the licence is granted we will impose condition which will include that:

no more than the number of animals stated on the licence shall be kept at any time
no other animal specified in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 shall be kept
the animals to which the licence applies shall, at all times, be kept at the licensed address and shall not be moved from those premises
a policy of insurance against liability for any damage caused by the animals shall be held (sum assured no less than £500,000)
security of animal enclosures shall be maintained at all times
in the event of the escape of any of the animals we shall be notified as soon as possible

We may also apply further conditions relevant to the premises and number and type of species to be licensed.

See our full standard conditions for dangerous wild animals that will be applied.

Not more than the number of animals stated on the licence shall be kept by the Licensee, or in his absence, the person delegated by the Licensee. No other animal specified in the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, 1976 shall be kept by the applicant at any time during the period of this licence.
The animals to which this licence applies shall, at all times, be kept at the licensed address and shall not be moved from those premises.
A policy of insurance against liability for any damage caused by the animals shall be held by the licensee in his / her own name and in the name of the person delegated by the licensee. The sum assured by the policy shall not be less than £500,000.00.
Security of animal enclosures shall be maintained at all times.
The animal must be held in accommodation which secures that animal against escape and which is also suitable as regards construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation, drainage and cleanliness. The accommodation must provide an environment suitable for the species.
In the event of escape of any animal to which this licence applies the Police and the Council are to be notified at the earliest opportunity. The local authority must be notified of any escapes and evidence of recovery must be provided.
Documented procedures in the event of an animal escaping shall be submitted to the Council for approval. Such procedures in the event of escape are to be implemented and suitable means of animal recovery are to be readily available.
The animals shall not be removed from these premises except with the consent in writing from North Northamptonshire Council and subject to conditions as may be specified in the consent. The only exception to this rule is when the animal is in need of emergency veterinary attention and the treatment cannot be carried out at the premises. The animals must be transported in a vehicle suitable for the purpose.
Some contingency for safely moving animals must be in place in case veterinary attention is required, or in the event of an emergency.
The animal shall be supplied with adequate and suitable food, water, support and refuge and shall be visited and visually assessed at suitable intervals.
Faeces, food and other debris should be removed promptly. Enclosures, water bowls, and other furniture should be disinfected regularly.
Appropriate steps shall be taken for the protection of any animal concerned in case of fire or other emergency; so far as possible the animal shall be protected from the effects of fire or other emergencies, provided that human safety is not compromised in doing so.
Fire fighting equipment, including extinguishers, shall be provided by the licensee and sited as approved by the local Fire Protection / Prevention Officer.
The licence holder shall prepare and update as necessary a written contingency plan which shall be put into effect in the event of an emergency. This shall address action in the event of fire, flood etc and also in the event of illness or incapacity of the licence holder or anyone relied upon by them to attend to the needs and security of the animal.
The licensee shall keep up to date emergency contact details for competent persons who may be contacted in the event of an emergency in the enclosure.
All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. A veterinary surgeon must be called in case of signs of disease, injury or illness. Any instructions for the animals treatment which have been given by a veterinary surgeon must be strictly followed. Records regarding illness and treatments must be maintained.
Provisional arrangements shall be made in advance with a veterinary surgeon, in case there should be a need for humane euthanasia of an animal.
Documentation from the vet must be obtained of any dead animal and retained by the licensee as proof of safe disposal.
The dangerous wild animals are not to be exhibited / viewed, as consideration would need to be given as to whether a zoo licence is required.
No breeding of animals will be permitted at the premises.
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.

Apply

You should be the person who owns and possesses, or proposes to own and possess, the animal(s) to which the application applies (unless there are circumstances which we deem exceptional).

Dangerous wild animal licences are valid for 2 years from the date of issue and must be renewed before the expiry date if you want to continue to keep the licence.

For prices, view our licensing fees and charges.

Apply for a licence

Change an animal licence

If you need to make a change to your existing dangerous wild animal licence email: [email protected].

The authority may at any time revoke or amend a licence it has issued.

Rights of Appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions to which the licence is subject, may appeal to the Magistrates Court and the Courts may give such direction regarding the licence and its conditions as it thinks proper.

Offences and Penalties

Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without a licence to do so or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with any licence condition shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.

Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or Authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.

Where a person keeps an animal without a licence or where a person fails to comply with a licence condition, Inspectors from the authority may seize the animal and may either retain it or have it destroyed or disposed of (to a zoo or elsewhere) without compensation to the owner.

Where the authority 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.