Exotic animal attack inevitable, says ISPCA

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has warned it is "inevitable" a human will be killed or seriously injured by an escaped exotic animal in Ireland.

There is no legislation controlling the keeping of dangerous animals in the Republic, meaning a licence is required to own a dog, but not an animal such as a tiger.

The ISPCA says the number of dangerous animals being kept by individuals in Ireland is growing rapidly - be they in zoos, circuses or in the hands of private collectors.

It warns there are "a number of very real risks associated with such a massive, unregulated growth in the numbers of such animals", including a "very real threat to public safety".

These animals frequently escape or are released by their owners, and many end up being shot. Not only do hungry, injured or confused wild animals pose a physical threat to people and livestock, but they can also transmit dangerous diseases.

The ISPCA is lobbying the Government to introduce legislation covering wild animals and has proposed a two-tier licence system. Exotic animals not deemed to be dangerous will require a cheap, simple licence, like a dog licence.

However, owners of dangerous creatures would require extensive screening and inspection by vets and animal experts to ensure the animals are kept in secure, suitable accommodation and are well-treated.

The society is also seeking the establishment of a licencing authority and called on the Garda to appoint a special wildlife officer.

Lax laws in Northern Ireland in relation to the keeping of wild animals have been blamed for the fact there are two large cats, thought to be a panther and a puma, known to be roaming in Co Antrim. A number of sheep have been killed by these animals in recent weeks.

It is suspected up to six large cats could be on the loose in the North. The USPCA said today it has recovered 16 wild cats, including six tigers, a lion and a leopard, that were either released or discovered in poor conditions because their owners were unable to take care of them.