Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 facts for kids
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| Long title | An Act to regulate the keeping of certain kinds of dangerous wild animals. |
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| Citation | 1964 c. 38 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22nd July 1976 |
| Commencement | 22nd October 1976 |
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Status: Current legislation
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| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 is a law of the United Kingdom. It was created to control who can keep certain wild animals as pets. This law makes sure that if someone owns a dangerous wild animal, they do it safely. It also helps protect the animals themselves.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many people started keeping unusual pets. Some of these animals were dangerous wild species. Others were hybrids, like wolfdogs or Bengal cats. People began to worry about public safety. It seemed risky for anyone to own a potentially dangerous animal without rules.
This law was made to fix that problem. Its main goal is to ensure that dangerous wild animals kept by private individuals do not harm the public. It also aims to keep these animals safe and well cared for.
The Act lists the specific animals it covers. These include many types of monkeys, meat-eating animals, large or venomous reptiles, dangerous spiders, and scorpions. It is against the law to keep these animals without a special licence. The law also sets rules for where and how these animals must be kept. Owners must also have insurance in case their animal causes harm.
Contents
How the Dangerous Wild Animals Act Works
To keep any animal listed in this law, you need a special licence. Local authorities, like your city council, give out these licences. They will only grant a licence if they are sure it will not be a risk to the public. This includes making sure the animal's home is safe and secure.
What a Licence Requires
When a local authority gives out a licence, they add specific rules. These rules are called conditions. They make sure the animal is kept safely.
- The animal can only be kept by the person or people named on the licence.
- There are rules about moving the animal from the place listed on the licence.
- The licence holder must have insurance. This insurance covers any harm or damage caused by the animal.
Animals Covered by the Act
The Act has two lists of animals, one for England and Wales and one for Scotland. These lists use the scientific name of the animal. They sometimes also include a common name.
Mammals
Many mammals are covered by the Act. This includes:
- Some kangaroos and wallaroos.
- Most primates (monkeys and apes), but not small ones like night monkeys or squirrel monkeys.
- The Tasmanian devil.
- All bears, camels, elephants, eared seals, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, peccary, tapir, and walrus.
- The aardvark, fossa, giant armadillo, giant anteater, and pronghorn.
- Most types of cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, except for common farm animals.
- Most wild dogs, like wolfs, but not common domestic dogs or foxes.
- Most wild horses, like zebras, but not donkeys or domestic horses.
- Larger cats, such as lions, tigers, and leopards.
- Many weasel-like animals, but not the European otter.
- Most wild pigs, but not domestic pigs.
- Most civets, except the small Indian civet.
- Most true seals, except the common seal and grey seal.
- Hyenas, except the aardwolf.
- Moose and Caribou, except domestic reindeer.
- Many hybrid animals where one or both parents are dangerous.
Birds
The Act covers some large birds, including:
Reptiles
Many reptiles are listed as dangerous:
- All crocodiles, alligators, and gavials.
- Many snakes, especially venomous ones like vipers and cobras.
- All Gila monsters and beaded lizards.
Invertebrates
Some invertebrates are also covered:
