Any person or organisation who keeps any dangerous wild animal must be licensed. The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and a Schedule included within the Act contains a list of the various animals classed as ‘dangerous wild animals’.
In addition to powers of inspection, the Act also gives the Council powers to seize any animal being kept on premises which are unlicensed.
Zoos, pet shops and circuses are exempt from the provisions of the Act as these premises are subject to separate licensing requirements.
Licence fee
| Type of licence | Fee |
|---|
| Dangerous wild animals |
£101 |
Any veterinary inspection fees are in addition to the fee of £101.
Apply for a licence or renewal
Please complete the application form and submit to licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk. On receipt of the application a member of the Licensing Section will contact you for payment.
The licence will be granted for a period of one year.
Online via our GLAMIS system
You can also download and print the application form below:
Application for dangerous wild animals licence (PDF 106Kb)
Legislation
Legislation.gov.uk: Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Licence conditions
The undernoted conditions will be attached to a licence. The Licensing Section may also add additional conditions where necessary.
Dangerous wild animals
General
- The animals shall be kept by no person other than the persons specified in the licence.
- The animals shall normally be held at the premises specified in the licence.
- A current and adequate insurance policy shall be held by the licence holder to cover liability for any damage which may be caused by the animals.
- The terms of the policy shall be to the satisfaction of the licensing authority.
- The licence shall, at all reasonable times, permit access for inspection of the premises named in the licence to any authorised officer and make available to that officer a copy of the licence if requested.
- The licence holder shall keep the licence within the licensed premises and shall produce the licence on demand at reasonable time to an officer of Police Scotland or an authorised officer of the licensing authority.
- The licensing authority may amend the above conditions as and when they deem necessary.
Welfare of animals
- A supply of clean fresh drinking water shall be available for the animals at all times.
- A sufficient food supply shall be available for the animals.
- Suitable indoor accommodation shall be provided for the animals. The accommodation must be well drained and clean and shall be provided with sufficient bedding.
- Indoor accommodation shall be of sufficient size. The temperature, lighting and ventilation must be kept to an adequate level.
- Outdoor exercising areas shall be provided where appropriate.
- Arrangements shall be made for periodic inspections by a veterinary surgeon.
- Appropriate provision must be made to protect the animals from fire or other emergency.
- Reasonable precautions must be taken to control the spread of infectious disease.
- The animals must be visited at regular intervals.