Watford Borough Council

No person may keep any dangerous or wild animal without first obtaining a licence from their local authority.

The animals for which a licence is required are listed in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1984. The legislation is not currently available online, but a printed copy of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act may be purchased here. The list of animals is extensive and varied, so please contact Environmental Services if you wish to enquire about the licensing requirements for a particular animal.

Licence to keep exotic, dangerous or wild animals

Applications for a licence must be made to the local authority, and a licence may be issued providing the applicant is not disqualified or has been convicted under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

The applicant will also be required to pay the cost of inspections carried out by the council's authorised veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner.

Where a licence is granted that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the licence holder is to continue to keep the animal(s) named on the licence.

Granting the Licence

Before granting a licence the Licensing Inspector must be satisfied that, among other things: 

• 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 animal(s) will be kept in accommodation that prevents its escape and is suitable in respect of construction, size, temperature, drainage and cleanliness
• that the animal(s) will be supplied with adequate and suitable food, drink and bedding material and be visited at suitable intervals
• appropriate steps will be taken to ensure the protection of the animal(s) in case of fire or other emergency
• all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
• the accommodation is such that it allows the animal(s) to take adequate exercise.

Where the Council issues a licence, that licence may be subject to a number of conditions. The council may at any time revoke or amend any licence condition.

Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976 without a licence to do so, or anybody found guilty of failing to to comply with any licence  condition shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000. 

Where a person keeps an animal without a licence or where a person fails to comply with a licence condition, inspectors from the Council may seize the animal and may either retain it or have it destroyed or disposed of (to a zoo or elsewhere) without compensation to the owner.

Where the Council incurs any expense in seizing, retaining or disposing of an animal then the person who was the keeper of the animal shall be liable for those costs.