NEWS RELEASES
Changes to Dangerous Wild Animals Act
15th August 2007
CHANGES to the list of animals included in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 are due to come into effect from the 1 October 2007.
The Act means that all keepers of listed dangerous wild animals are required to have a licence.
Horsham District Council regulates and enforces this in the Horsham District.
Following a recent public consultation and review the list of animals requiring a licence has been updated.
New species requiring a licence from 1 October are the Argentine black headed snake, Peruvian racer, South American green racer, Amazon false viper, Middle Eastern thin tailed scorpion, Dingo, Mangrove snake and the Brazilian wolf spider.
There are also 31 species which have been removed from the list that will no longer require a licence. A full list can be viewed on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act aims to ensure that where private individuals keep such animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public and safeguard the welfare of the animals.
For more information about applying for a licence or any other queries on dangerous wild animal licensing contact Horsham District Council (Public Health and Licensing Department) on 01403 215641 or email publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk