Dangerous Wild Animals

Anyone in Southwark who wishes to keep an animal classed as a dangerous wild animal by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 Modification Order 1984, must obtain a licence from Southwark Council. A list of these animals can be found towards the end of this page.

Find out what animals are listed in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

If you have the animal in your possession, you are held to be the 'keeper' of that animal, even while it is being transported or if it escapes.

How to apply

The application should be made by the person who intends to own and possess the animal. The application must

• Specify the species and number of animals to be kept
• Specify the premises where the animals will normally be kept
• Be made by a person aged 18 or over and not disqualified from holding a licence under the Act
• Be accompanied by payment of the licence fee 

Download the Dangerous Wild Animal Licence application form (183 kb). To view this document, you need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.

Fees 2007 to 2008

Go to our licensing fees page

Please make cheques or postal orders payable to the London Borough of Southwark and enclose with your completed application form. Please send these to

Licensing unit
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 3077
licensing@southwark.gov.uk
Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London
SE17 2DG

All licences granted expire on December 31 of the year that they were granted. If you intend to keep the animal/s named on the licence, you must get the licence renewed before the current licence expires.

The application process

Reports

Before granting any licence the council is required to consider a report of an inspection of the premises by a veterinary surgeon or practitioner authorised by it.

Matters for consideration

The council can only grant a licence if it is satisfied that

• There is no public safety, public nuisance or other reason why such a licence should not be given
• The applicant for the licence is over 18 and is a suitable person to hold the licence
• The animal will be kept in secure accommodation so that it cannot escape
• The accommodation provides the animal/s with sufficient space for exercise and provides suitable ventilation, temperature, lighting, drainage and is clean
• There are satisfactory precautions in case of a fire. A local fire officer can be asked to inspect the premises by the council
• Adequate precautions are being taken to prevent and control infectious diseases
• The applicant is the legal owner of the animal
• The premises have been inspected and approval by a veterinary surgeon has been provided in writing to the local authority
• The licence holder has taken out adequate insurance against liability for any damage caused by the animal
• Licences will be renewed annually

Contact us

Please contact the Licensing Unit if you have any questions or if you would prefer to have the dangerous wild animals licence application form posted to you.

Licensing unit
Tel: 020 7525 2000
Fax: 020 7525 3077
licensing@southwark.gov.uk
Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London
SE17 2DG