Performing animals licence
The registration of performing animals falls
under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925. It is an
offence for anyone to train or exhibit a performing animal unless
they are registered to do so. The Act is designed to cover the use
of animals, at circuses, in stage performances or as part of
exhibitions etc.
Anybody wishing to use animals to perform
within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets must register with the
Council's Licensing Office. Any premises exhibiting animals within
the Tower Hamlets area must also register. Anyone performing in the
Tower Hamlets area, but living outside, should also register with
their own authority.
Registration
Every person who wishes to use animals to
perform must first register and get a licence.
1. The registration for the performance of
animals is controlled under the Performing Animals Regulation Act
1925.
2. No person should engage in the performance
of animals without having carried out a risk assessment by a
competent person.
3. Sound advice should be obtained from the
following:
- trained animal handlers
- veterinarians
- zoos
- university departments
4. It is the duty of the applicant to ensure
that staff are given prior warning if they are to work with animals
in case of phobias or allergies.
5. 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.
6. Every person who wishes to use animals to
perform must first register with the local council and will have to
pay a fee for this service.
7. Any person that is not required to manage
the animals should be kept well clear of the performing area and
the animals.
8. It is important that the length of time
animals spend performing should be kept to a minimum.
9. Any equipment used e.g. hay or straw,
should be treated and fireproofed.
10. First aid should always be on hand.
Our duties
11. Before a licence is granted, the applicant
must be able to demonstrate to the Environmental Health Officer
that:
- the performing animals are obtained from a
reputable source to minimise the risk of disease
- the appropriate measures will be taken to
protect the animals in case of fire or other emergency including
the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment
- that the register contains the types of
animal to be used in performances, both to be trained and
exhibited
- that health and safety checks are carried out
for both the animals and staff.
Offences and penalties
12. 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 be
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
Apply
To apply for a licence, please contact the Health and Safety
team. Alternatively you can
apply online through the Businesslink website.
Contact us
Environmental Health Commercial Team – Health
and Safety
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Opening hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to
Friday
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6901
Email: healthandsafety@towerhamlets.gov.uk