Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
The primary aim of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (“the Act”) is to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public.
The Act regulates the keeping of such animals by means of a local authority licensing regime, the Act is also administered and enforced by the local authority, and licences are required for any animal which appears on the Schedule to the Act.
The Schedule to the Act can be found and further information can be found on the Defra and Directgov websites.
The Act does not apply to any dangerous wild animal kept in a zoo; circus; pet shop; or registered scientific establishment.
These premises are registered under their own specific legislation.
The DWAA was amended in March 2010 and the changes brought about were:
- the validity of a licence being extended from a maximum of one year to two years
- new licences coming into force immediately upon being granted.
For more information about the DWAA contact:
Dangerous Wild Animals Act
Biodiversity Programme
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Zone 1/14
Temple Quay House
2 The Square, Temple Quay
Bristol, BS1 6EB
Telephone: 0117 372 3602
