A licence is required, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act
1976, for the keeping of dangerous wild animals.
You are breaking the law if you do not have a valid licence,
and do not fulfil all the conditions of the licence. And it does
not make any difference if you keep the animals in commercial or
domestic premises.
Applications for licences can take two months to process
because of consultations that may have to take place with emergency
services, enforcement authorities and veterinary surgeon. If
continuity of the licensed renewal status is to be maintained,
therefore, such renewal applications need to be made at least two
months before the expiry of any existing licence.
Licences normally last 12 months from the date of issue,
unless previously revoked. Applications should be made
at least one calendar month before the date of expiry of an
existing licence to qualify for the lower cost of renewing that
licence.
A veterinary surgeon will always inspect your premises before
we issue a licence. We may also inspect your premises at any other
time, to check that you always keep the conditions of the licence –
not just at the time when you apply to renew your licence.
If you are thinking of keeping dangerous wild animals you
should discuss your proposals with one of our licensing officers
(see contact details below), before incurring any
expenditure.
Erection of additional facilities, or, changing the use of
existing premises may require prior approval under Town and Country
Planning Acts and/or Building Regulations.
Application forms and further information, including licence
fees and conditions that may be applied to dangerous wild animal
licences are provided in the links below.
If you require further information regarding dangerous wild
animals or wish to make an application please use the links
below.
If you wish to make any enquiries regarding dangerous wild
animal licensing, or, to make a complaint regarding a licensed
premises you may contact us on-line using the Environmental Health (Commercial) Services Enquiry
form.
Alternatively you could contact us using the details below.
There are no charges for making enquiries or complaints
regarding the keeping of dangerous wild animals.
Licence fees are included in the links below for
"application forms and details of licence fees".
Standard conditions that are normally attached to dangerous
wild animal licences:
Note: following inspection of the facilities,
licences may be issued subject to site specific conditions,
additional to those detailed in the links above
Note: application forms need to be downloaded
for completion and signing prior to returning these to the address
given with the appropriate licence fee
Dangerous Wild Animal Licences
Telephone: (01902) 696665
Fax: (01902) 696222
Email:
env.commercial@sstaffs.gov.uk