Wild animals licence

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Apply for a licence
  3. When the licence will expire
  4. Eligibility

Overview

If you want to keep a dangerous wild animal, you must apply for a licence from Â鶹ÊÓƵ. 

You must have no convictions under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to be granted a licence.

Apply for a licence

To find out which animals need a licence or to apply for a licence, please contact Commercial Services on 0191 424 7922.

When the licence will expire

The licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year that the licence is valid for.

You must renew the licence before this date.

Eligibility

Before granting a licence, the licensing inspector must be satisfied that:

  • It is not contrary to the public interest to do so on the grounds of safety, nuisance or other grounds
  • The applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence to keep the animals listed on the application
  • The animals will be kept in accommodation that prevents escape and is suitable in respect of construction, size, temperature, drainage and cleanliness
  • That the animals will be supplied with adequate and suitable food drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable intervals
  • Appropriate steps will be taken to make sure the animals are well protected, in case of fire or other emergency
  • All reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
  • The animals accommodation is such that it can take adequate exercise

Where the Council issues a licence, that licence will be subject to such conditions as the Council sees fit and in each case these conditions will specify that:

  • Only the person named on the licence shall be entitled to keep the animal
  • The animal shall only be kept on the premises named on the licence
  • The animal shall not be moved or may only be moved in accordance with conditions specified in the licence
  • The licensee must hold a current insurance policy approved by the Council, which insures against liability for damage caused by the animal
  • Only the species and number of animals listed on the licence may be kept
  • The licensee shall make a copy of the licence and its contents available to any other person listed on the licence as being able to look after the animal