Exotic pet chaos: Ireland's dangerous animal loophole

Veteran reptile rescuer James Hennessy recently discovered two highly venomous snakes, a gaboon viper and a puff adder, living in minuscule, uncleaned tanks within a terraced house. This incident underscores a significant regulatory gap in Ireland, where licenses are not required for keeping dangerous animals, leaving authorities unaware of what pets are housed, where, or how securely.

These snakes were found by a landlord after his tenant abandoned them, living in their own feces with minimal space. Hennessy emphasized their life-threatening venom and the potential community-wide danger if they escaped, especially given the adjoining attics in the housing row. This contrasts sharply with Northern Ireland's system under the Dangerous Wild Animals Order 2004, which mandates licenses and inspections for dangerous species, including venomous snakes.

Hennessy's organization, the National Reptile Zoo, frequently deals with surrendered or rescued exotic pets, including former pets like green mambas and a boa constrictor. He notes a common lack of owner awareness, leading to animals being 'killed with kindness' or surrendered due to unmanageable demands. Current Irish legislation primarily focuses on Cites-listed species, neglecting potential dangers of non-listed animals like American alligators.