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Performing Animals

If you exhibit, use or train performing animals, you must be registered with your local authority.

 

Vale-of-Glamorgan-Council-logo

Department: 

Licensing Team, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Office, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU

 

Application Process 

Every person who wishes to use animals to perform must first apply for a certificate of registration.

 

Applicants must submit the relevant application form and the relevant fee.

 

Any information required to progress your application will be requested by the relevant application form itself including heating arrangements, details of the animal, details of how the animal will perform and for what duration. However, dependent on the findings of the inspection by officers of the Council or other authorised person such as a veterinary surgeon, further information or clarification may be requested prior to granting a certificate of registration.

 

Prior to granting a certificate of registration, an officer from the Health and Safety team will arrange for an inspection to establish if the requisite standards are being met.

 

In the interest of public safety certain applications will be considered by the Licensing Committee.

 

Tacit Consent

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.

 

The target time period is 60 calendar days.

 

Background and Eligibility Criteria

The welfare of performing animals is provided for in the general provisions to avoid suffering and ensure welfare in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In addition the training and exhibition of performing animals is further regulated by the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 which requires trainers and exhibitors of such animals to be registered with the local authority.

 

Under this Act, the police and officers of local authorities, who may include a vet, have power to enter premises where animals are being trained and exhibited, and if cruelty and neglect is detected, magistrates' courts can prohibit or restrict the training or exhibition of the animals and suspend or cancel the registration granted under the Act.

 

Every person who wishes to use animals to perform must first register to obtain a certificate of registration, and no person should engage in the performance of animals without having carried out a risk assessment by a competent person. Sound advice may be obtained from the following:

  • trained animal handlers
  • veterinarians
  • zoos
  • university departments

It is the duty of the applicant to ensure that employees are given prior warning if they are to work with animals in case of phobias or allergies.

 

Information should be made available to every person concerned regarding controls such as feeding, avoiding disturbance, what to do in an emergency and the health risks particularly to expectant mother caused by animal infections.

 

It is important that the length of time animals spend performing should be kept to a minimum, and that any equipment used for example hay or straw, should be treated and fireproofed. First aid should always be on hand.

 

 

Fees

Application fee for a Performing Animals Licence £133.00

 

Offences and Penalties

The following offences apply to any person who:

  • not being registered exhibits or trains any performing animals
  • being registered trains or exhibits any animal that is not registered or in a manner that has not been registered
  • obstructs or delays a local authority officer or a police officer in the execution of his duties under the Act as regards entry and inspection
  • conceals any animal with a view to avoiding such inspection or;
  • fails to produce a registration certificate when required to do so
  • applies to be registered under this Act when prohibited from being registered

The maximum penalty for any offence under the Act is a fine of £1,000.

 

Complaint and Other Redress

  •  Failed Application Redress

    Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

     

    Tel: 01446 709105

    Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

     

    Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

  •  Licence Holder Redress
    Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

     

    Tel: 01446 709105

    Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

     

    Any person aggrieved by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

  •  Consumer Complaint
    We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you, preferably in the form of a letter with proof of delivery. 

     

    If that has not worked and you are located in the UK Consumer Direct will be able to give you advice.    

     

    If you have a complaint from across Europe contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

 

 

Regulations and Guidance

 

DEFRA