So im doing a powerpoint presentation in college, we have to pick one act to do it on and ive chosen the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

I have a few questions that i hope someone could help me with.
I believe you have to pay a certain amount of money to the council each year but do you have to prove that your capable of owning such animals?
Like surely some inexperienced guy who has a lot of money couldn't just go ahead and buy one?

Plus, are their rules you have to follow, like keeping venomous snake in a locked vivarium inside a locked room?

And last thing is anti-venom and insurence? Hows that work?

I have looked all this up but can't really find much

Thanks,
Dan.

They have given you an assignment! at last!

Heres the link to the Isle of wight councils application form for a DWA, note its only £51 DWA Application,

Heres a link to the terms and conditions of the act...

Terns of a DWA licence

You will see they are pretty vague, and it basically puts the onus on the vet thats inspecting your premises wether the licence is issued or not, So this depends on the vet, one may insist on locked vivs in a locked room another may not. I dont think the vets have guidelines to follow? perhaps you could ask Dr Green at carisbrooke vets.

Anti venom isnt a must - (on the isle of wight that is), the councils can set the price and the conditions of the licence.

Public Liability Insurance is a must, basically this will payout in the event your DWA breaks out and does damage. This is the expensive bit, I should imagine with the risks involved it will be big money.

So basically all you have to do is have a wad of cash, plus convince a vet that you know what you are doing.

And its also worth mentioning that anyone with a petshop licence automatically is licenced to sell a DWA, All the council ask is that you notify them that you are doing so although they do suggest it would be a good idea to apply for a seperate DWA licence. As long as the DWA falls within one of the categories that the shop is licensed for they may sell it, I.e I cant sell a tiger but I can sell a cobra.

When selling a DWA the shop must insist on seeing the DWA licence of the buyer and to keep a record of the purchase and notify the council, (this is in the blue folder i gave you) but I have cut and paste anyway....

Dangerous Wild Animals
14.1 When dangerous wild animals are kept, the cages must be of a secure construction appropriate to
the species. A fine wire mesh, glass or plastic safety barrier must be incorporated intro the cage
system.
14.2 The local authority should be notified in the event that the pet shop wishes to offer for sale, for the
first time, any animal on the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Although it is
acknowledged that there is an exemption contained within the Act in relation to pet shops, it is
recommended that consideration should be given to complying with any special requirement(s)
specified in the Act for the safe accommodation or care of the animal.
14.3 Licensees selling animals on the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act should inspect the
purchaser’s licence to keep such an animal, and inform the issuing authority of the details of the
purchase.

So there you go, anyone want a cobra?

Heres the info from DEFRA DEFRA DWA

Heres the animals on it... Schedule of species

Its interesting to note that in the reptile section they concentrate on things that can eat you (crocodiles) or poison you to death. You are perfectly able to go out and buy any monster python species like a burmese etc, that is perfectly capable of overpowering a man and constricting him to death or a Komodo dragon that can kill with its toxic saliva or even a nile monitor that if full grown can be pretty dangerous. might be worth mentioning this....

Let me know what grade i get dan!

Thanks a lot Neil!
Thats really helpful

Really appreciate the help