Wild animal laws tighted up in NI

Plans are underway to tighten the law on the keeping of dangerous wild animals in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland office minister Angela Smith announced plans to mirror moves in Britain by forcing owners to secure a licence from the UK's Department of Environment in a bid to regulate the keeping of wild animals.

The move follows recent concerns about a puma and a panther which have been roaming wild around North Antrim.

Police and members of the USPCA carried out an extensive search of the area in a bid to track down the wild cats.

Ms Smith said today she understood public concern about the keeping of dangerous animals and was launching a 12-week consultation on proposals to tighten the legislation.

“I am pleased therefore to announce this consultation exercise on proposals for legislation which will introduce a regime similar to that operating in the rest of the UK,” she said.

“Under the proposals anyone owning or wishing to own such an animal will be required to obtain a licence from the DoE.

“Licences will only be issued where the DoE is satisfied that the animal can be kept securely and properly looked after.

“There is also a need for common sense and social responsibility in this matter.

“I find it both amazing and grossly irresponsible that someone would purchase a wild animal and then dump it into the wilderness – legislation or no legislation.”

The proposed law will be similar to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act which has been operating in Britain since 1976.

The consultation period will last until January 12 next year.

The British government also indicated today that while a draft Order in Council was being prepared at Westminster for next spring, should the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly occur, arrangements would be made to translate the legislation into an assembly Bill which would be put forward by a new power sharing executive at Stormont.