The Dangerous Wild Animal Act was passed by the government in 1976. This allows local authorities to grant permission for residents of the UK to own a wild animal deemed as 'dangerous' such as bears, big cats and venomous snakes.

Not only is this horrificly cruel and detrimental to the already dwindling wild populations of these species but the license is granted with only public health and safety at the focal point. Animal welfare is a secondary consideration.

It is thought that there are over tens of thousands of exotic pets kept by individuals in the UK, with the numbers increasing over the last few decades.

This Act also only covers animals seen as 'dangerous' by the legislation. Therefore, in addition to this already devastating ruling, it is completely legal to own an animal not deemed as 'dangerous' without a license. Commonly owned species in the UK such as meerkats are being kept without any involvement from local authorities or the government.

The ownership of any animal that has been taken from the wild - unless under a conservation measure - should be banned in the UK. Animal welfare is at stake and we need to be their voice.

In 2023, Born Free alone found that there were 2,700 'dangerous' animals being legally and privately kept in the UK including 200 wild cats, 250 primates and 400 venomous snakes. 

In 2015, Labour pledged to fight animal cruelty. Now is the time to ban what has been going on for far too long.

Animals deserve to live in their wild habitats; safely and freely. Not in your next-door neighbours house.

If we can ban the ownership of wild animals deemed as 'dangerous' then the number of wild animals illegally kept as 'pets' should decline with the aim for currently owned animals to have a chance of a good life in sanctuarys.