Horsham charity calls for reform of exotic pet keeping in the UK

Born Free has launched a petition in collaboration with the RSPCA which is asking the Government to review and reform laws after the charity’s data suggests an increase of at least 59 per cent in exotic animals being kept as pets since 2000.

This campaign comes following a recent two-part ITV documentary ‘Britain’s Tiger Kings - On The Trail With Ross Kemp’ which the charity says provided further evidence to highlight the growing problem.

In response to the documentary, Born Free’s co-founder and executive president Will Travers OBE said: “I think most people will have found it unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals, including big cats, bears, crocodiles and venomous snakes, are being kept as pets by private individuals across the UK.

“Increasing demand for all kinds of wild animals as exotic pets puts owners and the wider public at risk of injury or disease.

“It can also cause serious animal suffering, and the demand may increase the pressure on many wild populations which are often already under threat.”

For many years Born Free has been highlighting the fact that obtaining a Dangerous Wild Animals (DWA) licence is far too easy, and is calling for reform.

The charity says that as well as failing to keep the public safe, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act does not adequately address animal welfare and takes no account of wildlife conservation or owner suitability.

Earlier this year, Born Free revealed almost 4,000 wild animals were being kept privately under DWA licenses across Great Britain (https://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/dwa-2021).

This number is believed to be the tip of the iceberg, given many species don’t currently require a licence, and long-standing concerns that there is widespread non-compliance with the Act.

Born Free’s interactive map clearly shows where licensed dangerous wild animals can be found.

Some of these animals are kept for commercial purposes, however the majority are believed to be kept by individuals as pets, a practice that is on the increase.

At the time of its inception, the Dangerous Wild Animals Act was intended to make the private keeping of dangerous wild animals an exceptional circumstance, however the charity claims that ongoing increase in wild animals kept as pets flies in the face of the intention of the Act.

While modest changes have been made to the Schedule (species covered by the Act) over the years, the Act itself has not been substantially updated for more than 40 years.

There are still species absent from the schedule which, under other legislation, including the Zoo Licensing Act, are regarded as a risk to the public, such as large varanid lizards like Komodo dragons, large python and boa species, and a number of birds of prey.

Will Travers said: “It’s high time for a comprehensive review of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and its schedule, and far greater restrictions on the trade in and keeping of wild animals as pets in the UK.

“As a minimum, we are calling for full consideration of whether the welfare needs of individual animals can be met, and owners have necessary qualifications and experience; a guarantee that the trade does not compromise conservation of species in the wild; due consideration of potential environmental concerns (such as the establishment of invasive species through escapes, the deliberate releases of unwanted pets, and the possible spread of zoonotic diseases); and confirmation there is no risk to wider health and safety of animals or people.”

To see or sign Born Free’s petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/581252.

Born Free has also created an interactive map detailing the dangerous wild animals licensed to be kept privately by local authority which can be found at https://www.bornfree.org.uk/dwamap