Zoo Licensing Act 1981

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F116A Enforcement of licence conditionsE+W

(1)Subsection (2) applies where the local authority, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard, are not satisfied that a condition attached to a licence granted by them under this Act is met in relation to the zoo or a section of it.

(2)Unless subsection (3) applies, the authority shall make a direction specifying—

(a)the licence condition which they are not satisfied is met;

(b)whether they are not satisfied that that condition is met in relation to—

(i)the zoo; or

(ii)a section of the zoo, and if so, which section;

(c)steps to be taken by the licence holder to ensure that that condition is met in relation to the zoo (or, if a section of the zoo is specified under paragraph (b)(ii), in relation to that section) within a period specified in the direction, which may not exceed two years from the date of the direction; and

(d)whether the zoo or a section of it is required to be closed to the public during that period or any part of it specified in the direction.

(3)This subsection applies if the authority have power to make a zoo closure direction under section 16B(5) and they exercise that power.

(4)The authority may, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard, make a direction under this subsection varying a direction under subsection (2) (including such a direction as varied by a direction under this subsection).

(5)A direction under subsection (4) may increase the period specified in the direction under subsection (2)(c) or (d), but the period as increased must not exceed two years beginning with the date of the direction under subsection (2).

(6)A direction under subsection (2) (including such a direction as varied by a direction under subsection (4)) may be revoked by a further direction of the authority.]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F216B Zoo closure directionE+W

(1)The local authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo licensed under this Act where—

(a)they have made a direction under section 16A(2) in respect of the zoo;

(b)the period specified in the direction by virtue of section 16A(2)(c), including such a direction as varied under section 16A(4), has expired; and

(c)they are satisfied, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard, that a condition—

(i)specified in that direction and in respect of which the zoo was specified under section 16A(2)(b)(i); and

(ii)which requires any conservation measure referred to in section 1A to be implemented at the zoo,

is not met in relation to the zoo.

(2)The authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo licensed under this Act where they are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the licence holder cannot be found.

(3)The authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo licensed under this Act where, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard—

(a)they are satisfied that members of the public have had access to it on fewer than seven days in the period of twelve months ending on the date on which the authority determine that they are so satisfied; and

(b)it does not appear to them that it is the licence holder’s intention that members of the public will have access to it on seven days or more during any future period of twelve months.

(4)The authority may make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo licensed under this Act where—

(a)they have made a direction under section 16A(2) in respect of the zoo;

(b)the period specified in that direction by virtue of section 16A(2)(c), including such a direction as varied under section 16A(4), has expired; and

(c)they are satisfied, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard, that a condition specified in that direction, other than one which requires any conservation measure referred to in section 1A to be implemented at the zoo, is not met in relation to—

(i)if the zoo was specified in that direction, the zoo or any section of it; or

(ii)if a section of the zoo was specified in that direction, that section, any part of that section, any larger section which includes that section, or the whole zoo.

(5)The authority may, after giving the licence holder an opportunity to be heard, make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo licensed under this Act if—

(a)any reasonable requirements relating to the premises or conduct of the zoo notified by them to the licence holder in consequence of the report of any inspection under this Act are not complied with within such time as is reasonable in the circumstances;

(b)they are satisfied that the zoo has been conducted in a disorderly manner or so as to cause a nuisance;

(c)the licence holder (or, where the licence holder is a body corporate, the body or any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body) is convicted of any offence mentioned in section 4(4); or

(d)any person who, to the knowledge of the licence holder, has been so convicted is employed as a keeper in the zoo.

(6)But the authority may not make a zoo closure direction under subsection (5) if a direction under section 16A(2) is in force in respect of the zoo and—

(a)when that direction was made there were grounds upon which the authority could have made a zoo closure direction under subsection (5) in respect of the zoo, but they chose not to do so; and

(b)the grounds upon which they would make a zoo closure direction under subsection (5) are the same as any of those upon which they could have made one when they made the direction under section 16A(2) instead.

(7)No zoo closure direction may be made under subsection (5)(a) or (b) on grounds involving the care or treatment of animals unless the authority have first consulted such persons on the list as the Secretary of State may nominate for the purposes of this subsection.

(8)Where the authority make a zoo closure direction in respect of a zoo under this section, the zoo’s licence is revoked from the date on which the direction has effect (in accordance with section 18(10)).]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F316C Zoo closure direction for zoos without licencesE+W

(1)This section applies to a zoo—

(a)which is being operated without a licence;

(b)in relation to which no direction under section 14(1)(a) has effect; and

(c)which appears to the local authority to have been operated in contravention of this Act because, during the period of twelve months ending with the date on which the authority determine that it so appears to them, members of the public have had access to it on more days than permitted under section 1.

(2)If the authority are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator of a zoo to which this section applies cannot be found, they shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.

(3)Otherwise, unless the authority inform the Secretary of State that in their opinion a direction should be made under section 14(1) in respect of the zoo, and he makes a direction under section 14(1)(a), the authority shall give to the operator at least 35 days’ notice in writing of—

(a)their intention to make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo; and

(b)the operator’s opportunity to be heard in accordance with subsection (4)(a).

(4)Where notice has been given under subsection (3)—

(a)the authority shall give the operator of the zoo an opportunity to be heard; and

(b)if, after the expiration of the period of at least 35 days referred to in subsection (3) and after giving the operator an opportunity to be heard, it does not appear to the authority that the view they reached as mentioned in subsection 1(c) was incorrect, they shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo, unless before the expiration of that period notice has been given to the authority under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo.

(5)Where, before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (3), notice is given to the authority under section 2(1) of intention to make an application for a licence for the zoo, but—

(a)an application for a licence for the zoo is not made by the end of a period of three months beginning on the date on which the notice was given under section 2(1); or

(b)the application for a licence for that zoo is refused and—

(i)no appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2); or

(ii)if an appeal is brought against the refusal within the time mentioned in section 18(2), it is abandoned, or the court confirms the decision to refuse the application,

the authority shall make a zoo closure direction in respect of the zoo.]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F416D Application of section 16EE+W

(1)Section 16E applies to—

(a)a zoo in respect of which a zoo closure direction has been made, from the date on which the direction has effect (in accordance with section 18(10)); and

(b)a zoo whose licence has expired or been surrendered, from the date of its expiration or surrender (as the case may be).

(2)This Act shall cease to apply to a zoo when the local authority have notified the operator, or, where the operator cannot be found, any person appearing to them to be responsible for the zoo, in writing that they are satisfied that—

(a)all animals which are to be disposed of pursuant to section 16E have been disposed of; and

(b)satisfactory arrangements for the care of any animals kept in the zoo which are not to be disposed of pursuant to section 16E are in effect, and there are reasonable grounds for believing that satisfactory arrangements will continue to be maintained for such animals.

(3)Section 16E applies to a section of a zoo which is closed permanently to the public by virtue of alterations to the zoo’s licence under section 16(1B), from the date on which those alterations have effect (in accordance with section 18(7A)).

(4)If a section of a zoo which was closed permanently to the public by virtue of alterations to the zoo’s licence under section 16(1B) reopens pursuant to further alterations to the licence, section 16E shall cease to apply to that section.]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F516E Welfare of animals following closure of zooE+W

(1)Subsections (2) to (7) apply to a zoo to which this section applies unless the local authority are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator of the zoo cannot be found.

(2)As soon as reasonably practicable after the date from which this section applies, the operator shall give to the authority a plan of the arrangements he proposes to make in relation to the animals kept in the zoo—

(a)for their future care; or

(b)for their disposal and for their care until they are disposed of.

(3)The operator shall supply the authority with any information they request about the care or disposal of animals kept in the zoo.

(4)Where the authority notify the operator that they approve a plan prepared under subsection (2), he shall implement it under the supervision of the authority.

(5)Except with the agreement of the authority, the operator shall not—

(a)dispose of any animal kept in the zoo before a plan prepared under subsection (2) has been approved by the authority; or

(b)dispose of any animal kept in the zoo otherwise than in accordance with a plan so approved.

(6)Where—

(a)the authority are not satisfied with a plan prepared under subsection (2);

(b)the authority are not satisfied with the way in which such a plan is being implemented;

(c)the operator of the zoo has not prepared such a plan within a reasonable period after the date from which this section applies; or

(d)the authority consider that urgent steps need to be taken by the operator to safeguard the welfare of animals kept in the zoo,

the authority may, after giving the operator an opportunity to be heard, make a direction in such terms as they see fit as to the future care of the animals kept in the zoo, or for their disposal and for their care until they are disposed of.

(7)Where—

(a)the zoo operator has not complied with a direction under subsection (6) to the satisfaction of the authority; or

(b)the authority consider that urgent steps need to be taken by them to safeguard the welfare of animals kept in the zoo,

the authority shall, after giving the operator an opportunity to be heard, make arrangements for the future care of the animals kept in the zoo, or for their disposal and for their care until they are disposed of.

(8)Where the authority are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator of the zoo cannot be found, they shall make arrangements for the future care of the animals kept in the zoo, or for their disposal and for their care until they are disposed of.

(9)Subject to section 16G, for the purpose of giving effect to arrangements under subsection (7) or (8) the authority may—

(a)care for any animal on the premises of the zoo; or

(b)remove any animal found on the premises of the zoo and either retain it in the authority’s possession or dispose of it.

(10)Arrangements for the care or disposal of animals under this section shall not be prejudicial to the protection of wild animals and the conservation of biodiversity.

(11)The authority may make a direction varying or revoking a direction under subsection (6) (including such a direction as varied by a direction under this subsection), but, unless they are satisfied, after reasonable enquiries have been made, that the operator cannot be found, they shall not do so without first giving him an opportunity to be heard.

(12)Where this section applies by virtue of section 16D(3), references in this section to a zoo shall be read as references to that section of the zoo which is closed permanently to the public.]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F616F Power of authority to dispose of animalsE+W

(1)This section applies where a local authority are required to make arrangements under subsection (7) or (8) of section 16E.

(2)The authority may sell or otherwise dispose of any animal in relation to which arrangements are required to be made if—

(a)after making reasonable inquiries they are satisfied that the animal is owned by the operator of the zoo;

(b)after making reasonable inquiries they are unable to identify or unable to find the animal’s owner;

(c)they have obtained the consent of the owner of the animal;

(d)the owner of the animal has been asked for his consent before a date specified in the request, but that date has passed and the authority have not received it, and the owner has not arranged to take possession of the animal or arranged for such possession to be taken by another person; or

(e)the owner has arranged to take possession of the animal or for its possession to be taken by another person, but the date for implementation of the arrangements has passed and they remain unimplemented.

(3)Where an animal is sold or given away under subsection (2), any person to whom the animal is sold or given shall have a good title to it.

(4)Subsections (5) to (9) apply when the authority have sold all the animals which are to be sold under subsection (2).

(5)Subject to subsection (8), the authority shall pay to the operator of the zoo a sum equal to the total proceeds of the sales of animals falling within subsection (6), less any part of the charge which the authority are entitled to make under section 15(2A)(d) which has not been paid.

(6)An animal falls within this subsection if the authority are satisfied that it was owned by the operator of the zoo immediately before its sale under subsection (2) (whether or not they were so satisfied when they exercised their power of sale under that subsection).

(7)Where the authority have identified a person other than the operator whom they are satisfied was the owner of an animal immediately before its sale under subsection (2), they shall (subject to subsection (8)) pay to that person a sum equal to the proceeds of the sale of that animal, less the costs incurred by them in connection with the sale and in caring for the animal before the sale.

(8)If the person to whom the authority are required to make a payment under subsection (5) or (7) cannot be found before the end of the period of four months beginning with the date of the sale of the last animal which is to be sold under subsection (2), the proceeds of sale shall vest in the authority.

(9)Any remaining proceeds of the sales under subsection (2) shall vest in the authority.

(10)An authority must make any payment they are required to make under subsection (5) or (7) before the end of the period of four months beginning with the date of the sale of the last animal which is to be sold under subsection (2), but they shall not make such a payment before the end of the period of one month beginning with the date of that sale.

(11)Nothing in this section shall prevent an authority from making arrangements, on the advice of a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, for an animal to be put down without delay where it is necessary or expedient to do so in the interests of its welfare.]

Valid from 08/01/2003

[F716G Powers of entryE+W

(1)For the purpose of giving effect to arrangements under section 16E(7) or (8), a person duly authorised by the authority for the purposes of this subsection may, on producing his authority if so required, enter the premises of the zoo for the purposes of—

(a)inspecting any animal found there to which the arrangements relate;

(b)inspecting the accommodation of any such animal;

(c)caring for any such animal; or

(d)removing any such animal.

(2)Subsection (1) shall not authorise entry into any part of the premises of the zoo which is used as a private dwelling.

(3)If a justice of the peace is satisfied by sworn information in writing that—

(a)it is necessary or desirable for the purpose of giving effect to arrangements under section 16E(7) or (8) for a person duly authorised by the authority for the purposes of this subsection to enter the premises of the zoo for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (1); and

(b)either—

(i)any part of the premises to which admission for any of those purposes is sought is used as a private dwelling; or

(ii)admission to the premises or any part of the premises for any of those purposes has been refused,

he may grant a warrant authorising that person to enter the premises, or (as the case may be) the part of the premises used as a private dwelling or to which admission has been refused, for all or any of those purposes, with or without constables and any other persons who may be necessary, and if need be by reasonable force.

(4)A warrant granted under subsection (3) shall also specify—

(a)the length of time for which it is valid; and

(b)the times at which entry may be effected,

and may contain such restrictions as the justice thinks fit.

(5)A person duly authorised for the purposes of subsection (3) shall, if so required, produce his authority and warrant before entering the premises of the zoo or part of the premises to which the warrant relates (as the case may be).]