Wild animals to take over UK streets...

As if the streets weren't already dangerous enough, with all those drunken youths, terrorists, and knife-wielding madmen hiding behind every piece of shrubbery or street furniture, it now appears that the average joe-schmoe may be forced to contend with such vicious beasts as wolves, ostriches and crocodiles as he makes his way to the post office.

If proposed relaxations on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 come into effect, owners of exotic pets will longer have to renew their licence of ownership annually, nor pass visits from council vets and safety inspectors. Instead, they will only have to renew their licence once every two years.

If you were expecting the future of the average UK town to be a cultural hybrid of Jumanji and Trainspotting then it looks like you may be able to call your bets in...

The move, which has been backed by the majority of ministers, will also allow owners of unusual animals, who already have a licence, to invest in new species without asking for permission from the council. Once you have the licence you can invest in anything from a termite to a tiger. And nobody can stop you.

The RSPCA and other animal welfare groups have warned that the move could prove detrimental to the well-being of the animals and also place the public at increased risk of attack. It is also argued that the animals need yearly inspections by vets in order to ensure a clean bill of health.

Everybody knows how weird 'cat people' are, those bizarre social rejects that like nothing more than to stay at home with their feline friends and drool over pictures of Elvis in his heyday. One can only shudder at the breeds of social failures that the relaxation on this law is likely to spawn.

Don't say we didn't warn you...

Written by Oli Anderson on 3 Jun 2008 9:30 AM. There are 1 comments so far. Permalink