Two North Norfolk residents were found guilty in cases relating to keeping and breeding animals, including a dangerous wild animal

Date published: 14th June 2023

North Norfolk District Council has taken two individuals to Norwich Magistrates’ Court regarding concerns over wild animals.

First resident

A Corpusty resident was found guilty, in absence, at a previous hearing and was sentenced on Wednesday 14 June for two offences. The first offence was for illegally keeping a female F1 Savannah cat, which is classified as a dangerous wild animal under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, without a licence on land in Corpusty and the second for keeping and selling animals as pets without a licence.

The individual was found guilty of the offence of keeping Dangerous Wild Animals without the authority of a licence under Section 1 (1) of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

The individual was also found guilty of the second offence of keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being so sold or resold without a licence under Section 13 (6) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 with a view to making a profit.

The Corpusty resident received fines, including costs and Victim Impact Charge totalling £15,605.

Second resident

An Aldborough second North Norfolk resident was found guilty at an earlier hearing and was also sentenced on Wednesday, 1 March, for two offences. The first offence was for selling animals as pets without a licence and the second for obstructing or delaying officers during an inspection.

The individual was found guilty of the first offence of keeping animals in the course of a business with a view to their being so sold or resold without a licence under Section 13 (6) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 with a view to making a profit.

The individual was also found guilty of the second offence of obstructing or delaying officers in the course of an inspection, under Section 3 (4) of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, in relation to a female F1 Savannah cat.

The Aldborough resident received fines, including costs and Victim Impact Charge totalling £16,485.

In addition, a court order was issued banning both defendant from holding a licence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for a period of 5 years and banning them form keeping any dangerous wild animal indefinitely.

Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

F1 Savannah cats are classified as dangerous wild animals under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

The Council is responsible for issuing Dangerous Wild Animal licences, which allows individuals to keep dangerous wild animals in circumstances that create no risk to the public and safeguard the animals' welfare under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

This licence allows the Council to conduct inspections and vet inspections are also required, with frequent reviews.

A North Norfolk District Council spokesperson said:

“We are very pleased with the sentence issued today by the court.  Breeding cats is a highly lucrative business, and it is important for the welfare of the animals, and the confidence of the public buying animals as pets, that the industry is properly regulated and that breeders hold the proper licences and are subject to all of the relevant inspections.

“It is very concerning that dangerous wild animals were being kept in the district without the proper licenses being in place. The dangerous wild animal regime is there to ensure that animals which could present a danger to the public are only kept by people with the proper competence and knowledge and that the accommodation is secure and prevents the animals from escaping.

“No dangerous wild animal licence would be granted unless the Local Authority and its appointed veterinary surgeon were confident that doing so would not present a risk to the community and would not be detrimental to the animal’s welfare. The Authority will not fail to act to ensure public safety and to protect animal welfare.”

You can find out more about Dangerous Wild Animal licenses here.

If you suspect someone is keeping a dangerous wild animal without a licence, please contact the Council on 01263 513811.