Can you keep an ocelot as a pet in the UK?

[Laura-sakura]

If you had the dangerous animal license etc and were experienced in keeping this kind of animal, would you be allowed to walk it around in public on a leash?

[Lindy Loo]

I don't know the answer to that one Laura but personally I feel that it is wrong to keep 'wild animals' as pets. If they are to be kept in captivity, it is far better they are in 'safari park' or zoo's where their environment is as close to 'natural' as possible.

[Laura-sakura]

I totally agree with you Lindy.  I was just curious as I have read about many incidents where wild cats were found in councli flats etc.  I know these cats have been obtained illegally so I was interested to learn if any "legally" kept animals might be found with owner down the local park.

[Lindy Loo]

Well I suppose if the owner has all the right paperwork etc, and the animal is well cared for it's not too bad, but there are so many twerps out there!!! I guess for many it would be the novelty factor of owning such an animal..... however I think keeping 'dangerous animals' or endangered species, in a domestic environment should be illegal. (Thinking of things like big cats, alligators, crocs, monkeys etc)  Can we put teenagers on the list of 'wild animals'? Lol