4 December 2006
DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS
New legislation to require owners of dangerous wild animals to be licensed by DOE has become law.
The Minister for the Environment, David Cairns MP, welcomed the development and said this will regulate the keeping of such animals and specify standards that ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the animals.
He said: "I am pleased that this legislation will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. It is important both for animal welfare and for public safety that there is an appropriate legislative framework here to deal with this issue."
The Minister added: "From the end of this month there will be a 90 day amnesty period which will allow current owners of dangerous wild animals to apply for a licence or to surrender the animal to us without penalty."
Until now the keeping of dangerous wild animals has been unregulated in Northern Ireland. Concerns over both public safety and the welfare of exotic animals kept in captivity, as well as alleged sightings of big cats in the wild, have accentuated the need for this legislation.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 became law on 1 December 2006.
2. The legislation requires owners of Dangerous Wild Animals (DWAs) to apply for a licence from the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), an agency of DOE.
3. The 90 day amnesty period begins on 28 December 2006.
4. After this amnesty period any person wishing to keep such an animal must obtain a licence prior to taking ownership of the animal. It will be an offence to have a dangerous wild animal without a valid licence.
5. In Great Britain the keeping of such animals is regulated using licensing systems operated by local authorities under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. The provisions of this Act do not apply to Northern Ireland.
6. The licensing system is operated by EHS and applicants will need to submit a licence fee of £80 with their application and a further fee covering an inspection by a DOE approved vet which must be paid before a licence can be issued.
7. The licence can cover more than one animal.
8. The sale of such an animal to any person without a licence is an offence.
9. For further information contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003.
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