Performing animals
Introduction
If you train performing animals, such as for advertising or a circus, you must register with the Council.
The Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925|
requires any person who exhibits or trains any performing (vertebrate) animal to be registered with a local authority.
The term "exhibit" is defined as "exhibit at any entertainment to which the public are admitted, whether on payment of money or otherwise…"and to "train" means "for the purpose of any such exhibition".
This provision, applies to circuses and also to other situations, such as filmmaking and plays, which involve animal performances.
A person who exhibits or trains a performing animal must be registered; e.g. circuses, cabarets, film making etc.
Performing animal registration
Every person who wishes to use animals to perform must first register. The registration for the performance of animals is controlled under the Performing Animals Regulation Act 1925.
No person should engage in the performance of animals without having carried out a risk assessment by a competent person.
Sound advice should be obtained from the following:
- trained animal handlers
- veterinarians
- zoos
- university departments.
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.
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.
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.
Any person that is not required to manage the animals should be kept well clear of the performing area and the animals.
It is important that the length of time animals spend performing should be kept to a minimum.
Any equipment used e.g. hay or straw, should be treated and fireproofed.
First aid should always be on hand.
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.
