Licensing laws for wild Animals as 'pets' inappropriate
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) lists wild animals that can be kept as 'pets' but for which licenses are required. The amended 'Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007' came into force on 1st October and includes a long list of wild species that would never be suitable as pets. A panel of specialists made recommendations to the Act, and included some new species and excluded others. Animals Count believes that welfare of most species is likely to be seriously compromised of most of these captive wild animals.
Northern Ireland's legislation has been brought in line with the rest of the UK. In the year since Northern Ireland received its first controls on owning dangerous wild animals only 15 people now hold licences. According to the USPCA the Act 'at least guaranteed standards for those animals that had been licensed,' but they were still concerned that animals would 'end up in the hands of cowboys who don't know how to take care of them.' We wouldn't classify these owners as 'cowboys' but as people who have a fascination for wildlife, who nevertheless may lack adequate knowledge about the species-specific needs.
Animals Count would like to see a shorter list of species as we believe wild animals belong in their wild habitat where they evolved; not in people's homes. In light of the Animal Welfare Act we call on the goverment to tighten up the DWAA Order; to critically review the Zoo Licensing Act; to prohibit the use of wild animals in experimentation altogether; to ban the sale of wild animals on the Internet, in pet stores and garden centres and to ban the use of wild animals in circuses, advertisements and for other entertainment purposes.
10 November, 2007 