Omagh's Dr Doolittle Welcomes New Wild Animal Law
By Ronan McSherry
r.mcsherry@ulsterherald.com
OMAGH'S Dr Dolittle has welcomed the new legislation requiring owners of wild animals to be licensed.
Among the exotic animals Martin Kelly of O'Kane has kept down the years are Siberian tigers, Jaguars, Lynx African parrots and over 40 snakes including Copperheads and Burmese pythons.
Martin will not be crying crocodile tears for the cheetahs who are not putting the welfare of the animals first. He hopes now that anyone found lion will be snared.
Martin said, "I have been advocating this for a number of years and think they should also make it compulsory for these animals to be microchipped. That way the authorities could trace the animals and locate where they came from. This initiative is for the welfare of the animals, no doubt about that."
Martin's home has become a dropping off place for people who bought wild animals and wanted rid of them as soon as the novelty wore off. He added, "There are a lot of this category of animals out there. In the last few months I have received plenty of poisonous snakes. I also get an average of 60 dogs dropped here every year. All sorts of dogs from Terriers to big guard dogs and Alsatians. People buy these dogs to look macho and don't look after them."
People holding this category of dangerous animal will have a 90 day amnesty beginning on December 28 which will allow current owners time to apply for a licence or to surrender the animal to without penalty.
Environment Minister David Cairns said, "The Dangerous Wild Animals Order will regulate the keeping of such animals and specify standards that ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of animals. I am pleased that this legislation will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK."
For information on licensing dangerous wild animals phone the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003.
Ulster Herald: 6th December 2006