« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES TO THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT 'PROPOSALS TO REVISE EXISTING ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION'
( 10) Keeping exotic or dangerous animals as pets
Paragraph 29 of the consultation document stated: In recent years there has been an increase in the number of exotic or dangerous animals kept as pets, such as reptiles. Sometimes their owners do not understand the appropriate care that these animals need, or that they have the potential to inflict serious injury or cause illness.
30. (10.1) Should there be greater controls over the buying and selling of exotic or dangerous animals?
(10.2) If so what animals should be included and what controls should be introduced?
Overview
70 responses were received on this issue. They included 15 local authorities and their representative organisation, LACORS; one police force; 5 veterinary organisations; 4 canine organisations (and 2 businesses); 1 performing animals organisation (and 1 business); 3 education institutions; 14 animal welfare and sanctuary organisations; 3 pet care organisations; 14 individuals also responded.
Specific comments
10.1 Views on the proposal to place greater controls on the buying and selling of exotic or dangerous animals
The responders had a number of views about the ways in which greater controls should apply to the buying and selling of exotic or dangerous animals. These are noted under four headings: (1) there should be greater control on the buying and selling of exotic or dangerous animals as pets, (2) the keeping of exotic and dangerous animals should be restricted, (3) the keeping of exotic animals should be banned, (4) there should not be tighter restrictions. Each of these views will be discussed in turn:
(1) There should be greater control on the buying and selling of exotic or dangerous animals as pets
20 organisations. (City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Falkirk Council, Fife Council, Highland Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Stirling Council, West Lothian Council, Scottish SPCA, Scottish Kennel Club, Inverclyde Dog Training Club, Avon (Lanarkshire) Dog Agility Club, WAG, Mossburn Animal Centre, South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital, Catflap, Cat Action Trust, CAWC, Macaulay Institute, Moredun Research Centre)
1 business. (Minches Hovawarts)
4 individuals.
(2) The keeping of exotic and dangerous animals should be restricted
(3) The keeping of exotics should be banned
11 organisations. (Advocates for Animals, Animal Concern, The Captive Animals' Protection Society, Grampian Animal Defence League, The Vegetarian Society, West Lothian Animal Rights and Veggies, Lothian Cat Rescue, Vetwork UK, Inverclyde Dog Training Club, Pet Care Trust, IFAW (or else the immediate implementation of strict regulatory controls on ownership)
5 individuals.
(4) There should not be tighter restrictions
Reasons why exotic animals should be banned as pets
The responders who suggested that exotic animals should be banned as pets gave a number of reasons for their decision. These included the need to protect endangered species, high mortality rates amongst imported animals, poor knowledge of animal husbandry, unsatisfactory welfare conditions, danger resulting from the escape of these animals, and the transmission of disease from these animals to humans:
The exotic pet trade does not hold a valid place in a modern responsible society. (IFAW)
Most foreign wildlife species are now endangered. There should be a complete ban on importing any more livestock. (2 individuals)
The number of 'exotic' animal species kept as pets has dramatically increased in recent years. This has involved a persistent illegal trade. (IFAW)
Any creature that would not normally be found in this country should not be available for keeping as a pet. (individual)
Many wild caught animals die en route to the United Kingdom when confined to a domestic environment which is nothing like their natural habitat. (Advocates for Animals)
Is detrimental to the welfare of the animal. (West Lothian Animal Rights and Veggies)
There is a lack of knowledge or understanding of the animals' needs which may lead to inadequate standards of care and poor welfare. Exotic animals can retain the instincts and behaviours of their species and these cannot be adequately fulfilled in captivity - they should be left in the wild. (Grampian Animal Defence League, The Captive Animals' Protection Society)
The conditions in which they are kept are very far removed from their natural environment and it is very difficult to properly provide for their welfare. (Advocates for Animals)
The keeping of these animals causes suffering to the animals and potential risk to people and the environment. (Animal Concern)
There is a risk of the animals escaping. (The Captive Animals' Protection Society)
There is a risk of zoonotic diseases. (The Captive Animals' Protection Society)
Reasons why no further regulation is needed
A number of the responders noted why they believed that there should not be any further regulation of exotic animals as pets. They suggested that they were already adequately controlled, there would be difficulty in enforcing such a regulation, and owners and keepers were not familiar with existing legislation:
The selling of dangerous animals is already adequately controlled given the review of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. (Pet Care Trust)
It is difficult to see how such legislation could be applied, particularly if the animal were purchased privately as opposed to being purchased from a dealer who should be licensed. (East Ayrshire Council)
'Exotic' animals are subject to more care than many animals seen as standard pets. (Mr Bug Ltd)
The legislation goes largely ignored by the private keeper of such animals (Angus Council)
There should not be tighter regulations, but more inspections. (individual)
Exotic animals should be permitted to be kept
One organisation from the pet care sector suggested that exotic animals should be permitted to be imported. It stated the reasons for that decision:
There are extremist organisations that continue to argue against the sustainable trade in wild caught animals. There have been calls for the Scottish Executive to ban such imports. The Scottish Executive has no powers whatsoever to unilaterally place a ban on imports. Scotland, being part of the United Kingdom, is represented on CITES matters by Defra as the signatory party to CITES. Furthermore, the United Kingdom alone could not pass a ban on imports since all CITES matters are agreed by a qualified majority within the context of the European Union. Since the European Union (and incidentally, the United Kingdom Government) continues to make emphatic statements in support of sustainable utilisation of wildlife there is no possibility whatsoever of any import ban coming into effect. (Pet Care Trust)
Reasons for regulation
Responders who agreed that the keeping of exotic or dangerous animals should have greater controls placed on this activity, suggested their reasons for this. They proposed that not all of these animals were covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, people did not always have sufficient training or knowledge of the species, there was the risk of disease transfer between animals and humans and there was a need to protect endangered species. Some of these concerns were also expressed by the responders who wanted to see a ban on the sale and keeping of exotic animals:
Exotic species that do not fall within the definition of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act remain unregulated. (City of Edinburgh Council)
People who keep such pets do not always have sufficient training, or knowledge and are unprepared to give the care needed for those pets they have bought. (City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish SPCA, WAG, Scottish Kennel Club, Avon (Lanarkshire) Dog Agility Club, Vetwork UK)
Specific types of animals require a high degree of knowledge and specialised care if they are to benefit from a high standard of welfare. (CAWC)
The keeping of exotic animals requires specific knowledge on behalf of the keeper. (Macaulay Institute)
Most animal professionals require further training before they are competent to care for exotic animals. (Moredun Research Centre)
Exotic and dangerous animals should be kept by experienced handlers, and should not be made available to the general public (individual)
Exotic animals and birds could be carrying a very dangerous disease. The bird-flu, SARS, West Nile virus and AIDS have their origins in human exploitation of animals. It is thought that the West Nile virus in particular was introduced into the US through the importation/trade of exotic birds. (individual)
Exotic animal trading is also a great threat to the survival of many endangered species. (Individual)
Issues raised
A number of responders noted that there was a need to define the terms 'exotic' and 'dangerous'. (Glasgow City Council, CARROT, Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association, Pets At Home, Scottish Countryside Alliance, Scottish Centre for Animal Welfare Sciences)
They also noted that it was difficult to define 'exotic'. As the Pet Care Trust noted: 'species once considered as unusual pets, such as gerbils, can become common and familiar pets within a short space of time. Unusual species kept today may well have the potential to become the common pets of the future.' The RCVS pointed out that 'species which count as exotic at any particular time can quickly become established. Many species which are now regarded as quintessentially British, such as rabbits and pheasants, were originally introduced'. From Pets at Home, 'The term is currently understood to describe any-non ingenious species and as such encapsulates virtually all animals normally kept as pets including goldfish. However, species previously thought to be almost impossible to keep are now bred as a matter of routine, an example being chameleons.' The RCVS further pointed out that 'it would be difficult to control the keeping of 'exotic' animals as such, because species which count as exotic at any particular time can quickly become established'.
There were also further problems with the introduction of a definition and its effect on the keeping of these animals. The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association pointed out that 'the definition of "exotic" in the
Concise Oxford Dictionary is "introduced from or originating in a foreign (esp. tropical) country". Virtually none of the ornamental fish species in trade are native to the United Kingdom and this may be termed exotic. Thus we believe the application of controls to the keeping of "exotic" animals would amount to a massive infringement of civil liberties of the 14 per cent of households which own ornamental fish. Further, it noted that the term "unusual" is intended to cover the less common species. This notional definition could also include many of the hundreds of species of ornamental fish sold. Again it could unnecessarily interfere in the quiet enjoyment of the hobby of tens or hundreds of thousands of individuals without a commensurate gain in animal welfare standards'.
Responders recognised that exotic species covered a wide range of animals. The Scottish SPCA pointed out that 'the term "exotic species" encompasses an enormous variety of animals, from chipmunks and chinchillas to iguanas and tarantulas. The husbandry and welfare needs of such different species are extremely varied.' The Born Free Foundation noted that 'there are hundreds of exotic animals kept as pets in the United Kingdom'. IFAW suggested that 'rather than compiling an exhaustive list of all species that require a licence, we propose that, using recent Belgian legislation as a template, a list is compiled of species that can be kept without a licence. This approach negates the need to develop a rigid definition of "exotic animal", a subject that has already caused much debate. "Exotic animals" (which may or may not be dangerous and therefore may or may not fall under the DWAA) as follows: (1) not domesticated over many generations; (2) rare or endangered; or (3) with special dietary, social, behavioural or environmental needs that require the provision of special facilities and expert knowledge on the part of an owner or keeper to properly meet those needs; (4) any animal that is the consequence of hybridisation with a wild species (e.g. dog-wolf breeds)'. It also added that 'the Belgian list needs to be expanded as it covers only mammalian species. This would be kept in secondary legislation'. (IFAW)
Species that should be included within the proposed controls
Responders suggested the species that should be included in the proposed regulation. These included an extension to the animals listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, to a range of specific species. They also noted how such a list should be defined:
Specialist advice and consultation should be sought on the types of animals suitable for selling to the public and the conditions required for safety and welfare purposes. (East Lothian Council, PDSA, individual)
Should include a review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended). (Dogs Trust)
'Fashionable pets'. (Mossburn Animal sanctuary)
Pets purchased as a 'status symbol'. (Scottish Kennel Club)
Animals included in the dangerous wild animals legislation. (Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Central Scotland Police)
Should apply to all animals included in the schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and to any other animals which require substantial knowledge and resources to adequately care for them. (LACORS)
Dangerous animals should be dealt with under the Dangerous Wild Animals legislation. (Perth and Kinross Council)
There should be a set date after which no animal classed as a 'dangerous wild animal' under the terms of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act can be sold or purchased as a 'pet' for private use. Those animals already kept prior to the introduction of a ban on trading should be prevented from breeding, so that a phase-out period of such animals kept privately is in effect. (The Captive Animals' Protection Society)
There should be specific legislation provisions regulating the keeping of non-dangerous exotic animals as pets, apart from the broad provisions of the 1912 Act. Such animals should be put on the same legislative footing as dangerous wild animals. (Advocates for Animals, North Ayrshire Council)
Animals included in the dangerous wild animals legislation and additional categories which the relevant animal welfare organisations consider appropriate. (Glasgow City Council)
Animals included in the dangerous wild animals legislation and to any other animals which require substantial knowledge and resources to adequately care for them. (Central Scotland Police)
Include, but limit itself to any dangerous animal, long lived animal and monkeys. (Avon (Lanarkshire) Dog Agility Club)
As pets should be provided with the best species-specific care, certain species may be prohibited as pets on welfare grounds. (Born Free Foundation)
There should be a review of the licensing procedures to ensure that the species maintained are suitable for captivity in homes rather than specific places such as zoological gardens designed for the species concerned. (BVA Scottish Branch)
Any animal. (Edhelof Kennels)
All animals. (2 individuals)
No species should be excluded. (PAWSI)
All exotic animals and birds should be included. (South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital)
All venomous reptiles and insects. (ACTA)
The Bill should set out a schedule of the species or kinds of exotic animals the keeping of which as pets is prohibited on welfare grounds. The Minister could have power to amend the list. (Advocates for Animals)
Views are detailed in the report
The Welfare of Non-domesticated Animals Kept for Companionship. (CAWC)
Scope of the controls: The need for keepers to have a knowledge of exotic or dangerous animals as pets
Responders noted how greater controls should be placed on the sale of exotic or dangerous animals kept as pets. They considered that it was important for owners and keepers to have knowledge of the animals and their welfare:
Most animal professionals require further study before they are competent to care for exotic animals. (Moredun Research Centre)
No one should be permitted to keep exotic or dangerous animals without being in possession of a nationally recognised qualification. (Glasgow City Council)
A person should produce an animal husbandry certificate from a zoo/veterinary college. (Minches Hovawarts)
It should be illegal to sell these animals to inexperienced owners. (WAG)
Training and a test of competence should be paid for by the person wishing to keep the animals. (Glasgow City Council)
Any prospective customer or owner should be required to show that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to keep such animals. (West Lothian Council, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland, PAWSI, CARROT, Minches Hovawarts, Avon (Lanarkshire) Dog Agility Club)
The potential owner should convince an expert that the animal will have a reasonable quality of life. (Vetwork UK)
In addition to the need for knowledge, responders also considered that further controls should be placed on the buying and selling of exotic and dangerous animals:
The same conditions as zoos should be placed on the owners. (ACTA)
There should be a code of practice. (Scotlean Pigs)
There should be a minimum age of 18 to buy a dangerous or exotic pet. (Scottish Centre for Animal Welfare Sciences)
There should be a mechanism to prevent impulse purchases. (PDSA)
Would like to see fees sufficiently high to discourage the keeping and sale of exotic animals in general. They should be realistic to allow for the welfare of any such animals to be monitored. (The Vegetarian Society)
People should be encouraged to be more responsible in their actions. (Mr Bug Ltd)
Pet shop staff should be adequately trained. (Stirling Council)
A consultation with the purchaser should be undertaken by a shop assistant competent to advise on a particular species. (Aberdeenshire Council)
The seller should accept more responsibility for ensuring that the purchaser understands the care required. (East Lothian Council)
Staff should discuss with potential buyers of exotic animals what is involved in keeping a particular species. Once undertaken, a form should be completed and signed by the buyer confirming that they have had the input and have understood what was discussed. A copy of this form should be forwarded to the local authority and used to register the keeper. (LACORS)
The seller should provide the buyer with a leaflet with welfare instructions. (Aberdeenshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Stirling Council, Central Scotland Police, Cat Action Trust)
People buying exotic pets should have to give evidence of suitable housing and equipment before a sale is made. (Scottish Centre for Animal Welfare Sciences)
Keepers should have long-term resources necessary to properly care for these animals. (Moredun Research Centre)
Sold animals should be recorded in a register. (WAG, North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Centre for Animal Welfare Sciences, individual)
The pets should be registered with the local authority or via an appropriate database with animal movements being licensed. (North Lanarkshire Council, LACORS, Central Scotland Police, Scottish Kennel Club, Catflap)
There should be an appropriate database and animal movement licences. (Highland Council, LACORS, Scottish Centre for Animal Welfare Sciences)
Dealers should be licensed. (East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council)
There should be a licensing or registration scheme. (City of Edinburgh Council, Advocates for Animals, Moredun Research Centre, Vetwork UK)
The keeper should be licensed/registered/monitored and have notable facilities. (PAWSI)
Keepers should be licensed. (North Ayrshire Council)
Licences should apply for one year only. (South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital)
Pet shops or dealers should be required to see a purchasers' license before selling a scheduled animal. (Angus Council)
All premises used to house animals must be licensed. (South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital)
There should be a more rigorous inspection scheme ensuring that private keepers conform to the same conditions as zoological gardens. (individual)
Powers should be given to the local authority to inspect the animals at any reasonable hour by appointment. (LACORS, Central Scotland Police, Scottish Kennel Club)
Keepers should be subject to random inspection. (Catflap) or regular inspection (ACTA)
There should be a six month veterinary examination of an animal within its new environment. This should be required to complete a vendor's records. (individual)
A local authority should have a right of seizure for any animal found to be improperly cared for. (Scottish Kennel Club)
Specialist shops should be inspected by experts in these areas. (Mossburn Animal Sanctuary)
« Previous | Contents | Next »