As the government launches a consultation exercise on dangerous exotic pets this week it also relaxed some controls and tightened others.
Scorpions and four species of poisonous snake are to be newly classed as 'dangerous wild animals' requiring their private owners to obtain a licence and follow strict pet-keeping rules, under proposals published this week by Environment Minister Elliot Morley.
In streamlining and updating the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976, some previously 'controlled' animals - including the popular Bengal cat, a hybrid species, part domestic cat and part Asian leopard - would be de-listed.
The proposals, developed after a comprehensive review, cover a whole range of improvements to the Act. Other important changes suggested as part of a consultation exercise include:
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A new legal provision that would require keepers to notify local authorities of the escape of a controlled pet and allow local authorities to recoup the cost of recapturing escaped animals from keepers themselves.
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Increasing local authority powers to enter premises (having first obtained a warrant) where it is thought an unlicensed wild animal is being kept.
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Making the selling or transfer of a controlled animal to an unlicensed keeper an offence - this will apply to any vendor, including pet shops.
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Extending the period of a controlled pet licence from one year to 18 months, but keeping the price the same, meaning a cost-saving to pet keepers of £130 over a three year period.
As part of the consultation the government would also welcome views from interested parties on whether the Dwarf Cayman and Dwarf Crocodile should remain on the controlled list and whether anacondas, the rock and reticulated python and snapping turtles should be added to it.
Commending the proposed changes to the Act to the public Environment Minister Elliot Morley MP said:
"Some petkeepers want an animal that's out of the ordinary - but we have to make sure that there is no risk to the general public from poisonous spiders, snakes, scorpions and other exotic pets and that these creatures are properly looked after.”
"The changes will mean that local authorities are better able to police the small minority of irresponsible pet-keepers who seek to avoid the requirement to be licensed - whilst all pet-keepers will benefit from lower licence costs and clearer rules."
First put in place in 1976 in response to the '70s fashion for keeping exotic animals as pets, particularly big cats, the purpose of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act is to protect the public and to make sure animals are properly cared for.
The responsibilities of animal owners are spelt out in the Governments' Animal Health and Welfare Strategy published last week - these are to be incorporated into a new Animal Welfare Bill. A new, formal 'duty of care' will require owners of all types of pets - including controlled 'exotic' pets - to look after them properly with respect to both the animals' needs and public safety.
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act consultation closes on 20th September 2004.
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