Dangerous Wild Animals Act Northern Ireland

[BelfastScorpion]

Hi Everyone,

I have kept pet scorpions for a few years now. My last one died recently but I am planning on getting 8 more.

However I was speaking to the local exotic pet shop here in Belfast (City Reptiles) and they told me that scorpions would be illegal under the dangerous wild animals act Northern Ireland, which is due to come into force soon. They told me that I would struggle to get any other species of scorpion other than emperors. However I have noticed in the past that City Reptiles don't have a clue about scorpions but I still worried about it.

I spoke to another exotic pet shop in Ballymena (Rik's Reptiles) and he said that City Reptiles were talking nonsence. I also spoke to a guy in Larne and he said the same. I have checked the internet high and low and under the dangerous wild animals act NI it only lists Buthid scorpions (the most dangerous ones). I wouldn't be keeping Buthids anyway, so it shouldn't really effect me. I posted a topic on another forum I am regestered with (Arachnoboards.com) and people from mainland UK replyed saying it was only Buthids plus one other specie that was listed, and that thay didn't expect there to be any more added to the list and that they thought that Northern Irelands list would be the same. That calmed me down a bit but I am still concerened that Northern Ireland will be different. I would be gutted if I couldn't continue my hobby anymore.

Can anyone shed any more light on this? And give me some reassurance.

Thanks

BelfastScorpion.

[16-BIT]

i think think will only apply to venomous animals. but god knows when its comin into affect.i doubt its any time soon at all. and the only difference after is that ud need a dwa licence to keep them.

[SCI]

City reps are talking though there ass.The only scorpion I can see on the list is a Buthid scorpion.They had also told a mate of mine that he would need a license for a burm python but again there not dangerous and not on the list.Here's the list.
http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.u...041993.htm#sch

This guy seems to have some scorpions.I've got spiders of him before and they were all first class.
http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insec...x.php?cPath=50

Welcome to the board,nice to see another belfast man on.

[Snake Charmer]

i have a adult female emperor, and hoping to breed her next year but will soon see, I was also planning to get a different species but it dont look that way if i dont get my skates on...

[BelfastScorpion]

Thanks everyone for your replys. It seems like City reptiles have changed their tune. I was in the shop on saturday and I asked them again about scorps and the DWA act. They then told me that it was only buthid scorps on the list. I could have told them that all along. They had me worrying over nothing.

Hi SCI, thanks for your welcome to the board. I had seen the spidershop website before and I plan to order some scorps from them. What way does it work? Were the animals well packed and safe? Did they arrive next day? I have never ordered animals through the post before, I don't even know if it's legal, but it's the only way of getting certain species.

Thanks and take care,

BelfastScorpion

[nicky]

hiya yeh its legal for inverts...and lee from spidershop always packages them well with heat pads etc and all of my buys have come through in great condition...hope this helps

[SCI]

Originally Posted by BelfastScorpion

Thanks everyone for your replys. It seems like City reptiles have changed their tune. I was in the shop on saturday and I asked them again about scorps and the DWA act. They then told me that it was only buthid scorps on the list. I could have told them that all along. They had me worrying over nothing.

Hi SCI, thanks for your welcome to the board. I had seen the spidershop website before and I plan to order some scorps from them. What way does it work? Were the animals well packed and safe? Did they arrive next day? I have never ordered animals through the post before, I don't even know if it's legal, but it's the only way of getting certain species.

Thanks and take care,

BelfastScorpion

Yes mate they where all packed very well and arrived next day.I think they can get round the postage thing if they say there feeder insects. :wink: