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Animal charity issues public warning over risks of dangerous animals being kept as pets

► A wildlife charity has said more than 2,200 animals classed as being dangerous, including pit vipers, tigers and crocodiles, are being legally kept in “private setting” in the UK, including private homes, sanctuaries and conservation projects. The presence of dangerous and exotic animals in the UK has been thrown into focus following the recent discovery of a discarded marmoset on a bus in northwest London. It has since been rehomed in a sanctuary and nicknamed, Oyster. New legislation means that a licence is required to keep dangerous animals, but it is feared that may lead to more exotic animals being abandoned. The Times reported on Wednesday that local authority data showed that more than 500 venomous snakes are being kept privately, including in sanctuarites and educational facilities. Private entities also hold nearly 300 primates, 79 crocodiles, alligators and caimans, and 166 wild cats including lions, pumas and tigers. Charity Born Free said 2,200 animals classed as dangerous were being legally kept. A licence has been required to keep wild animals since April. The RSPCA fears that many exotic animals may be abandoned due to the legislation. ► Have you subscribed to 5 News?: http://bit.ly/5NewsSub ► Follow 5 News on Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news - https://twitter.com/5_News Message us on Facebook to share your opinion - https://www.facebook.com/c5News See our latest pictures and videos on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/c5news/ ► About 5 News: We bring you the stories that matter to you, from around the world and across the UK. 🎥 We post daily playlists with the biggest news of the day, interviews, special reports and investigations. 📺 Catch us on TV on Channel 5 every weekday 5-6pm 📱 Get in touch with us on WhatsApp at +44 7555 500 501 🎧 Listen to "How Did We Get Here? Explaining The News" wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/how-did-we-get-here-explaining-the-news Our flagship, hour-long programme at 5pm is watched on Channel 5 by up to a million viewers, with regular news updates throughout the day. ITN changed the TV news landscape when it launched 5 News in 1997, producing Five News for nine years before winning the contract to supply news to Channel 5 again from 2012.