COULTER URGES TAGGING OF DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS
Speaking during ministers’ question time in the Assembly, Rev Dr Coulter asked the minister to confirm the frequency with which owners of dangerous wild animals are obliged to renew their licences to own such animals and that these licences permit the owners to keep the animals at one address only.
Earlier, the minister had written to Rev Dr Coulter informing him that of the 16 dangerous wild animal licences in Northern Ireland, five were in the North Antrim region – three held in Ballymena Borough and two in the neighbouring Ballymoney Borough.
Dr Coulter added: “The desirable situation would be for every wild animal in private ownership to be electronically tagged to ensure that enforcement of the licencing provisions is made more effective.
“The minister informed me that a licence to keep dangerous wild animals was valid for one year from the date of issue and that licence-holders must reapply to the department for a licence before the expiry of their existing licence.
“She also said a veterinary inspection will then be carried out and a recommendation made to the department as to whether a lience should be granted for a further year. Each licence is issued to the applicant and is specific to the premises detailed in the application.
“She also told me that as well as the annual application for the licence and the annual inspection, vets can be called to inspect the animals if the department believed there was a reason to do so.
“While she naturally defended the current way in which the licence-holders are monitored to be effective, I would call on the minister to reconsider this position and introduce the process of electronic tagging.
“Where such dangerous wild animals are concerned, it is not just a question of their well-being which is at stake, but also the safety of the general public,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.