The Licensing office is now open by appointment only. Please click here to contact us or email licensing@blaby.gov.uk
Dangerous Wild Animal Licences
A 'Dangerous Wild Animal' is defined as any animal which is included on the list of animals specified in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1981, which can be viewed on the link below.
No person may keep any dangerous wild animal without first obtaining a licence from their local authority. This aims to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public and which safeguard the welfare of the animals.
Application requirements
To apply for a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence, please submit the following to Licensing:
- Fully completed application form
- Written procedures
- Proof of Insurance
- Application fee, our table of fees can be found below. Cheques are made payable to Blaby District Council, or you can pay over the phone by credit/debit card
Once we have received a full and valid application, you will be contacted to arrange an inspection of the premises by an authorised officer and a vet.
If you are refused a licence, you may appeal this to the Magistrates Court.
Fees
| Application | Price |
| The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 | £105 application fee per activity + veterinary inspection costs where necessary |
| The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 | £115 grant fee per licence |
| Minor Variation of Licence | £20 minor variation fee |
| Major Variation of Licence | £55 major variation fee |
| Dangerous Wild Animal Licence | £235 + veterinary inspection costs |
| Zoo Licence | £1020 + veterinary inspection costs |
Anybody found guilty of keeping an animal covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 without a licence, or anybody found guilty of failing to comply with licence conditions shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.
Any person found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector, authorised Veterinary Practitioner or Veterinary Surgeon shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,000.
If a dangerous wild animal is being kept without the authority of a licence or in contravention of a licence condition, we can seize the animal and retain it, destroy it or otherwise dispose of it. We may recover costs from the keeper of the animal at the time of any seizure.
The court may cancel a licence, or disqualify someone from having a licence to keep a dangerous wild animal for a period of time as the court sees fit. The cancellation or disqualification may be suspended by the court in the event of an appeal.
Cancellations and disqualifications may take place where a person is convicted of an offence under the following acts:
- Wild Animals Act 1976
- Protection of Animals Act 1911-1964
- Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912-1964
- Pet Animals Act 1951
- Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- Riding Establishments Act 1964-1970
- Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
- Animal Welfare Act of 2006
Zoo licence
We are the issuing authority for Zoo licences. More information on getting a Zoo licence can be found on the gov.uk website, which offers guidance about eligibility.
If you'd like to apply to us for a licence please contact our Animal Services team using the form below.