UK law on owning exotics

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GaryA

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/c...-are-illegal-to-own-as-pets-in-the-uk-3676690

Link to an article from the Portsmouth News regarding exotics as pets.

It's a little click-baitey in theme, and blindingly obvious in some cases-you need a licence to own a giraffe, who knew?

But I was surprised at some of the exceptions, especially amongst small felines and even lemurs.

Those whose plans if they win the lottery is to have their own exotics collection ie, most Zoochatters(!) can start their fantasy lists....
 
GaryA said:
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/c...-are-illegal-to-own-as-pets-in-the-uk-3676690

Link to an article from the Portsmouth News regarding exotics as pets.

It's a little click-baitey in theme, and blindingly obvious in some cases-you need a licence to own a giraffe, who knew?

But I was surprised at some of the exceptions, especially amongst small felines and even lemurs.

Those whose plans if they win the lottery is to have their own exotics collection ie, most Zoochatters(!) can start their fantasy lists....
Click to expand...
This article is rather spotty at best - for proper information on legislation, it is best to look at the actual thing, which can be found in full here:
Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
And, as a bonus, if the common names given are rather vague on what is being described, at least they have the scientific names too.
Though I find it slightly amusing that amongst great apes, it makes specific exception for those under genus Homo. [i.e. humans] Though I guess in this case, context very much applies !!
And monotremes are one group of animal seemingly not covered under this law - which means that, hypothetically, any man and their dog could own an echidna or platypus without a license - your largest hurdle would be actually finding one, and allowing Australia to export it.
 
Oh, I realise that-I did point out it was click baitey. It is more of a talking point for a light hearted discussion than a serious article. That was not my intention, as I think I made clear.
 
Maybe it will be a Brexit bonus now we have new trading links to Australia-easily importable marsupials! Have your very own Platypus Aquarium! Breed Bilbys like rabbits (if only).

When I was a kid I can remember seeing Squirrel Monkeys for sale in the local pet shop and even holding the paw of one poor little fella through the bars of his cage.

It was probably what inspired my wish to have a fox, a monkey and a snake when I was "grown up". Not happened yet.....
 
Isn't it surprising that you need a proper licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to own a tiger or crocodile?

"The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 makes it illegal to own animals from the Hominidae family without a proper licence". Does this mean you can't have children?
 
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"You can’t own the following types of lemur without a proper licence:
Large lemurs – Bamboo or gentle lemurs are excepted". I'd be surprised if you could get a licence to keep a golden bamboo lemur.

"While house cats are perfectly legal to own, the larger relations in the felidae family require a licence, including:
All cats ... the following are excepted: bay cat, black-footed cat, rusty-spotted cat and domestic cat"
What is the difference between a domestic cat and a house cat? Black-footed and rusty-spotted cats are smaller than hose cats. Where would you get a licence to keep a bay cat?
 
"It is illegal to own the following badgers and other animals from the Mustelidae family without a licence: otters (except the European otter)". I'd be surprised if it were legal to keep a European otter. Also, why are tayras and fishers called badgers?

"It is illegal to own any bear without a licence including the giant panda and the red panda".
Red pandas aren't bears.
 
Dassie rat said:
"The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 makes it illegal to own animals from the Hominidae family without a proper licence". Does this mean you can't have children?
Click to expand...
The unfortunate thing about this is that the legislation actually makes a deliberate exception for Homo sapiens !
 
Dassie rat said:
"It is illegal to own the following badgers and other animals from the Mustelidae family without a licence: otters (except the European otter)". I'd be surprised if it were legal to keep a European otter. Also, why are tayras and fishers called badgers?

"It is illegal to own any bear without a licence including the giant panda and the red panda".
Red pandas aren't bears.
Click to expand...
The act is from the 1970s so some outdated taxonomy is to be expected.
 
The European otter exception would be due to people holding rescues/raising young individuals temporarily. Same probably applies to most native wildlife.
 
Dassie rat said:
"It is illegal to own the following badgers and other animals from the Mustelidae family without a licence: otters (except the European otter)". I'd be surprised if it were legal to keep a European otter. Also, why are tayras and fishers called badgers?

"It is illegal to own any bear without a licence including the giant panda and the red panda".
Red pandas aren't bears.
Click to expand...

"other animals from the Mustelidae family". Which tayra and fishers are in.
 
Dassie rat said:
Isn't it surprising that you need a proper licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to own a tiger or crocodile?

"The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 makes it illegal to own animals from the Hominidae family without a proper licence". Does this mean you can't have children?
Click to expand...
As mentioned by a pervious poster genus Homo is exempted. Meaning also anyone could have a pet neanderthal.
 
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