Exotic Animals in Lincolnshire Homes
Dangerous wild animals including an alligator, a leopard and a gibbon are being kept in Lincolnshire, a study has revealed. A survey by the Big Cats in Britain Research Group has uncovered an array of exotic species being kept legally in people's homes.
The group obtained the data by handing requests under the Freedom of Information Act to every local authority in Britain. They found a Noah's Ark of creatures being kept in private hands - including lions, tigers and leopards.
In Lincolnshire, private keepers are licensed to keep lynx, sea lions and several species of monkey.
Shaun Stevens, who collated the data for Big Cats in Britain, said the survey showed a snapshot of the animals housed legitimately across the country.
But he warned: "These are the ones we know about - we don't know what else is out there.
"We have heard rumours people are keeping lynx illegally for hunting but we have no proof."
Councils have to license private owners of dangerous animals under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976 and check creatures are being kept safely.
They also have a duty to seize animals when rules are broken.
Zoo animals are covered by different legislation.
Jim Tweedle, who runs JC Exotics on Monks Road, Lincoln, sells snakes, scorpions, lizards and other potentially dangerous animals.
He admitted some people did not see their appeal.
"I think they're fantastic," he said. "I'm not into sports or fast cars - I like animals and there are a lot of people like me."
Big Cats in Britain will use the survey to help its research into reports of pumas, panthers and leopards stalking the countryside.
Founder Mark Fraser said: "It's not the responsible legal owners who lose their animals but those who keep them illegally with ill regard and little thought for their welfare.
"More and more exotic animals are being seen in the British countryside today, which makes it an interesting place to be."
Lincolnshire has had its fair share of big cat sightings in recent years.
In 2006 there has been a spate of eyewitness accounts from the villages of Eagle and North Scarle, west of Lincoln.
Peggy Simmons (53), who runs the Lowfields County Retreat, near Eagle, has come face-to-face with a large black cat resembling a panther on four different occasions this year.
At least a dozen guests have also reported sightings.
She said: "A lot of people say there's no such thing but when they see it they're absolutely gob-smacked."
Lincolnshire Echo: 29th December 2006
