The Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 is a law of the United Kingdom that was originally enacted to deal with the increasing fashion in the late 1960's and early 1970's of people keeping exotic pets which were often from the more dangerous species, as well as hybrids between wild and domestic species, such as wolfdogs and Bengal cats. It was increasingly unacceptable -- in regards to public safety -- for the average citizen to be able to acquire a potentially dangerous animal without some form of regulatory control. The law of the United Kingdom consists of several independent legal systems which use common law principles, civil law principles, or both. ... This Czechoslovakian Wolfdog shows a strongly wolf-like appearance A wolfdog (also called a wolf hybrid or wolf-dog hybrid) is a canid hybrid resulting from the mating of a female wolf (Canis lupus) and a male dog (Canis lupus familiaris). ... The Bengal cat is a relatively new breed of domestic housecat (Felis silvestris catus) developed to have a gentle and friendly temperament, while exhibiting the markings (such as spots, rosettes, and a light/white belly), and body structure reminiscent of the wild Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). ... This is an article about the modern meaning of the term public safety. ...

Its purpose was to ensure that when private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which do not create risk to the public and safeguard the welfare of the animals.

The Act's schedule designates the species covered, such as many primates, carnivores, bears, larger reptiles, dangerous spiders and scorpions. Keeping such animals without a license is unlawful and the state is also allowed to specify where and how the animal is to be kept. This law also requires keepers to have their animals covered by a satisfactory liability insurance policy. For the ecclesiastical use of this term, see primate (religion) Families 13, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all lemurs, monkeys, and apes, including humans. ... This tigers sharp teeth and strong jaws are the classical physical traits expected from carnivorous mammalian predators A carnivore (IPA: ), meaning meat eater (Latin carne meaning flesh and vorare meaning to devour), is an animal that eats a diet consisting mainly of meat, whether it comes from live animals... For other meanings, see Bear (disambiguation). ... Orders  Crocodilia - Crocodilians scary crocodiles. ... Families Suborder Mesothelae     Liphistiidae (primitive burrowing spiders) Suborder Mygalomorphae     Atypidae (atypical tarantula)     Antrodiaetidae (folding trapdoor spider)     Mecicobothriidae (dwarf tarantulas)     Hexathelidae (venomous funnel-web tarantula)     Dipluridae (funnel-web tarantula)     Cyrtaucheniidae (wafer trapdoor spider)     Ctenizidae (trapdoor spider)     Theraphosidae (tarantula) Suborder Araneomorphae     Hypochilidae (lampshade spider)     Filistatidae (crevice weaver)     Sicariidae (recluse spider)     Scytodidae (spitting... Superfamilies Pseudochactoidea Buthoidea Chaeriloidea Chactoidea Iuroidea Scorpionoidea See classification for families. ...

How it works

Licenses are required for any animal listed on a schedule under the law. These licenses will only be granted when the authority is satisfied that it would not be contrary to public interest on the grounds of safety or nuisance and that the animal's accommodation is adequate and secure.

Where the local authority grant a license it shall impose conditions on the license covering issues such as:

• a requirement that the animal be kept only by a person or persons named on the license;
• restrictions on the movement of the animal from the premises as specified on the license; and
• a requirement that the license holder has a current insurance policy which ensures both license holders and others against any liability caused by the animal.

The Act does not apply to animals kept in zoos; circuses; pet shops; or registered scientific establishments.

Reference

Full text of the law can be found at [1]