will then be no excuse for not having the correct licence.
One thing a lot of people here seem to overlook is that this is a PUBLIC forum, anybody can read what you write (they don’t need to register or log in).
Unfortunately I fear a lot of the people you are talking to have no idea of what you're trying to tell them. They don't understand who may be reading and how some of the irresposible comments in this thread could be used aginst the hobby.
I hope someone with some kind of power within the council does read these posts, Just the fact that there are so many people in this country keeping them illegaly proves that the system does not work. A question to any one who has and has for quite some time kept a DWAL, Do the council offer you any justification in writing for the charges just for for example 3 hours administration fee charged at £15 per hour and a vet callout charged at £50 per hour as they just seem to me to pluck a number out of the air, Otherwise why would the actual council cost vary so much throughout the country? Surely a vet is roughly the same price for example in Cornwall as in Somerset? As would be the Admin costs for the council.
I hope someone with some kind of power within the council does read these posts,
I wouldn't worry about the councils. It's the antis who have a very nasty habit of twisting things that could use some of these posts in their propaganda that would be the main concern.
all my points are valid if you see one that is not then try to specify as to why its not valid or please refrain from commenting on my comments.
Mate, you need to read the post by Azemiops. You appear to have completely missed the point as to why a license is enforced. Thats why Tamz posted what she did.
Mate, you need to read the post by Azemiops. You appear to have completely missed the point as to why a license is enforced. Thats why Tamz posted what she did.
if you read some of my previous posts you would see that im all for the liscence just not how you obtain one, but people are kidding themselves if they think the yearly fee is for anything other then more money for the guy sat in the chair.
I think you should have to undergo some kind of exam to test your knowledge, then pay a SMALL fee for the liscence and a SMALL fee every 2-3 year to renew the liscence and the inspection to make sure everythings in order.
and the point i was trying to make before is that just because someone doesnt have a liscence doesnt mean hes going to drop DWA scorps in your socks.
as far as i know you just need the money + equipment/room. and dont need to prove your knowledge of the animals your going to be keeping.
In my opinion you should have to do a test + have equipment and maybe a 30 pound fee to the council with no recurring yearly fee's afterwards, Maybe a test/inspection every 2-3 years.
plus i think you need to pay for insurance seperately, i dont think the liscence is actually the insurance (Could be wrong)
Right now it just looks like a scheme to take money off people to me.
i can only comment on my inspection in which the vet had done his homework and asked a fair few questions about the species that i wanted to keep, it takes a bit more than just money and the right equipment to get a dwa, some sort of experience with the animals is essential, looking back there is no way i would have been ready to deal with hots without working with people who know what they are doing, your right about the insurance its totally separate from the license and is invalid without it
I think you should have to undergo some kind of exam to test your knowledge, then pay a SMALL fee for the liscence and a SMALL fee every 2-3 year to renew the liscence and the inspection to make sure everythings in order.
Why could you not pay a small fee every year, why every 2-3 years? What is deemed as a small fee? I only pay £90 a year for my licence which i am happy to do.
How does taking an exam proove that you are capable of dealing with DWA species? My sister could potentially study hard for a 'DWA exam' and pass, but that wouldnt make her anymore capable of working with any of my snakes.
How would this 'exam' reflect on the different levels of snakes? There is a very big jump between keeping say a white-lipped viper and Papuan Taipan, but both can be kept under the same licence. So would a DWA keeper have to take a test that covers them for all species on snake? Or would the council put together exams for individual snakes? Once they have taken this test, could they keep any species that they want? And as many as they like? If the council can only inspect every 2-3 years, how would they ensure that the DWA keeper is not keeping animals that they shouldnt?
Obvisouly, as it currently stands, councils can regulate what species are being kept by doing regular inspections....something that you appear to be against.
If your problem is with the varying costs of councils, then fine. Yes it must be fustrating if your local council charges a ridiculous some of money. However, instead of the councils 'trying to make money and line their pockets' as you are saying, i feel it is much more likely that they are simply trying to put people off obtaining a licence.
Why could you not pay a small fee every year, why every 2-3 years? What is deemed as a small fee? I only pay £90 a year for my licence which i am happy to do.
How does taking an exam proove that you are capable of dealing with DWA species? My sister could potentially study hard for a 'DWA exam' and pass, but that wouldnt make her anymore capable of working with any of my snakes.
How would this 'exam' reflect on the different levels of snakes? There is a very big jump between keeping say a white-lipped viper and Papuan Taipan, but both can be kept under the same licence. So would a DWA keeper have to take a test that covers them for all species on snake? Or would the council put together exams for individual snakes? Once they have taken this test, could they keep any species that they want? And as many as they like? If the council can only inspect every 2-3 years, how would they ensure that the DWA keeper is not keeping animals that they shouldnt?
Obvisouly, as it currently stands, councils can regulate what species are being kept by doing regular inspections....something that you appear to be against.
If your problem is with the varying costs of councils, then fine. Yes it must be fustrating if your local council charges a ridiculous some of money. However, instead of the councils 'trying to make money and line their pockets' as you are saying, i feel it is much more likely that they are simply trying to put people off obtaining a licence.
I'm with you on this. A test means nothing, all you will need to do is study for a week or two before the test. Also, just because you have read how to take a snake out of the viv with a hook doesn't mean you can take one out without the hook. If you had to be tested on each species you want to keep, then the dwal would cost hundreds or even thousands. The council would have to get a specialist to write the questions, sit in the exam and sign the paperwork. Also, a new test would have to done every time you get a new animal, which would be more cost. If the test is a standard one, then image how much you will have to know. If you just wanted a copperhead or diamond back, you would have to know how to care for a wolf, a pola bear, a zebra, apes, and every other animal on the list.
The councils would rather you not keep any dwa's, they would rather you jut stick with the none venomous/dangerous reps. the licence is there to put you off. Plus, a licence is a way to know people have insurance (well, to start with any ways) as you need insurance before the licence is granted.
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However, instead of the councils 'trying to make money and line their pockets' as you are saying, i feel it is much more likely that they are simply trying to put people off obtaining a licence.
And there's a point there.... it's unlawful for a council to use the fee as a means of preventing keepers from getting licenced. The fee is specified to be used to cover administrative fees, not as a deterrent for licencing.
High fees and/or policies against issuing licences *create* illegal keepers.
I very much hope that the review of the DWA will bring out a standardised licence fee and standardised requirements and/or codes of practice that - no matter which council you live in - will determine whether you can obtain a licence for your chosen species.
As I said, if I ever intend to go down the DWA route for Gilas and/or Vipera species, I'll be doing it completely legally.
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07-10-2009, 09:08 PM
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