OWNING AND KEEPING OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 439.19

OWNING AND KEEPING OF DANGEROUS

ANIMALS REGULATIONS

5th February, 2016;

5th May, 2016 *

LEGAL NOTICE 46 of 2016, as amended by Legal Notices 115 of 2023,

199 of 2024, 43 and 134 of 2025.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Owning and

Keeping of Dangerous Animals Regulations.

(2) These regulations lay down lay down the procedures for the

registration of dangerous animals and their s, transfer, registration

as keeper and the proper keeping of such animals in Malta.

(3)

These regulations shall not apply to

(a) the housing or keeping of animals, in pet shops

(excluding dangerous animals);

(b) the housing and keeping of food-producing animals

registered or licensed with the Veterinary Services

Directorate in terms of the Prevention of Diseases

Ordinance and the Veterinary Services Act; and

(c) licensed zoos.

(Regulation 4)

Application for Registration as Keeper

1. Date of application

2. Applicant’s name and surname

3. Applicant’s identity card number

4. Applicant’s residential address

5. Address proposed for keeping of the dangerous animal

6. Species of dangerous animal (Latin)

7. Non-reversable means of identification of the dangerous animal and micro

c hi p se r ial n um be r o r ta tt oo or DNA ce rt if icat e or o the r me ans of u niq ue

identification

8. Plans and details relative to the enclosure within which the dangerous

animal is to be kept (please attach separate sheets - please include evidence of

installation of CCTV equipment covering the enclosure as well as lighting available

within and around the enclosure - if applicable).

9. Measures to be taken to secure the safety and well-being of the dangerous

animal and the general public (please attach separate statement).

10. Proof of knowledge of the requirements for the keeping and rearing of the

animal (please attach proof of any training or certification available).

11. Details of substances and, or instruments according to regulation 7.

Schedule B

Substituted by

L.N. 199 of 2024.

(Regulation 3)

List of Dangerous Animals

Scientific name

Common name or names

MAMMALS

Marsupials

Family Dasyuridae

The Tasmanian devil.

The species Sarcophilus laniarius.

Family Macropodidae

The western and eastern grey

kangaroos, the wallaroo and the red

The

species

Macropus kangaroo.

fuliginosus,

Macropus

giganteus,

Macropus robustus and Macropus rufus.

Primates

Scientific name

Common name or names

Family Cebidae

New-world monkeys

(including

capuchin, howler, saki, uacari, spider

All species except those of the and woolly monkeys).

genera Aotus, Callicebus and Saimiri.

Night monkeys (also known

as owl monkeys), titi monkeys and

squirrel monkeys are exempt.

Family Cercopithecidae

Old-world monkeys (including

baboons, the drill, colobus monkeys, the

All species.

gelada, guenons,

langurs,

leaf

monkeys, macaques, the mandrill,

mangabeys, the patas and proboscis

monkeys and the talapoin).

Family Hominidae

Anthropoid

apes;

chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans and

All species except those of the gorillas.

genus Homo.

Family Hylobatidae

Gibbons and Siamangs.

All species.

Family Indriidae

Leaping lemurs (including the

indri and sifakas). The woolly lemur is

All species of the genera exempt.

Propithecus and Indri (Avahi lanigeris

excepted).

Family Lemuridae

Large lemurs.

All species except those of the

Bamboo or gentle lemurs are

genus Hapalemur.

exempt.

Edentates

Family Dasypodidae

The giant armadillo.

The species Priodontes maximus.

Family Myrmecophagidae

The giant anteater.

The

species

Myrmecophaga

tridactyla.

Carnivores

Scientific Name

Common name or names

Family Canidae

All species including wild dogs,

wolves, jackals, the maned wolf,

the

All species except those of the bush

dog,

dhole,

foxes, raccoon

genera Alopex, Cerdocyon, Dusicyon, dogs, dingo.

Otocyon,

Pseudolopex,

Urocyon,

Vulpes and Nyctereutes.

The domestic dog is exempt.

The species Canis familiaris and

Canis lupus familiaris, except for the

subspecies canis familiaris dingo, are also

exempt.

Scientific name

Common name or names

Family Felidae

All cats including the bobcat,

caracal, cheetah, jaguar, leopard, lion,

All except

lynx, ocelot, puma, savannah, serval and

tiger.

(a) the species Felis silvestris,

The following are exempt

Otocolobus manul, Leopardus tigrinus,

Oncifelis geoffroyi, Oncifelis guigna,

(i) the wild cat, the pallas

Catopuma badia, Felis margarita, Felis

nigripes, Prionailurus rubiginosus and

cat, the little spotted cat, the

Geoffroy’s cat, the kodkod, the

Felis silvestris catus;

bay cat, the sand cat, the black-

(b) a

hybrid

which

is

footed cat, the rusty-spotted cat and

descended exclusively from any one or

the domestic cat;

more species within paragraph (a);

(ii) a hybrid cat which is

(ċ) a hybrid of which

descended exclusively from any

one or more species within

(i) one parent

is

Felis

paragraph (a);

silvestris catus, and

(iii) a hybrid cat having as

(ii) the other parent is a

one parent a domestic cat and as

first generation hybrid of Felis

the other parent a first generation

silvestris catus and any cat not

hybrid of a domestic cat and any

found in paragraph (a);

cat not found in paragraph (a);

(d) any

cat

which

is

(iv) any cat which is

descended exclusively from any one or

descended exclusively from any

more hybrids found in paragraph

(c)

one or more hybrids found in

(ignoring, for

the

purpose

of

paragraph (c);

determining exclusivity of descent, the

parents and remoter ancestors of any

(v) any cat which is

hybrid within paragraph (c));

descended exclusively from a

domestic cat and any one or

(e) any

cat

which

is

more hybrids found in paragraph

descended exclusively

from

Felis

(c).

silvestris catus and any one or more

hybrids found in paragraph (c) (ignoring,

for the purpose of

determining

exclusivity of descent, the parents and

remoter ancestors of any hybrid within

paragraph (c)).

Hyænas. The aardwolf is exempt.

Family Hyaenidae

All except the species Proteles

cristatus.

Common name or names

Scientific name

Family Mustelidae

Badgers (except the Eurasian

badger), otters (except the European

All species of the genera otter) and the tayra, wolverine, fisher

Amblonyx, Arctonyx, Aonyx, Enhydra, and ratel (otherwise known as the honey

Lontra, Melogale, Mydaus, Pteronura badger).

and Taxidea.

The genus Lutra except the species

Lutra lutra.

The species Eira barbara, Gulo

gulo, Martes pennanti and Mellivora

capensis.

Family Ursidae

All bears including the giant

panda and the red panda.

All species including the species

Ailuropoda melanoleuca and Ailurus

fulgens.

Family Viverridae

The African, large-spotted, Malay

and Indian civets and the fossa.

All of the genus Civettictis.

All of the genus Viverra.

The species Cryptoprocta ferox.

Pinnipedes

Family Odobenidae

The walrus.

All species.

Eared seals.

Family Otariidae

All species.

Family Phocidae

True or earless seals.

All species except Phoca vitulina

The common seal (or harbour

and Halichoerus grypus.

seal) and grey seal are exempt.

Elephants

Family Elephantidae

Elephants.

All species.

Aardvark

Family Orycteropodidae

Aardvark.

The species Orycteropus afer.

Odd-toed ungulates

Family Rhinocerotidae

Rhinoceroses.

All species.

Scientific name

Common name or names

Family Tapiridae

Tapirs.

All species.

Even-toed ungulates

Family Antilocapridae

The pronghorn.

The

species

Antilocapra

americana.

Family Bovidae

Antelopes, bison, buffalo, gazelles,

goats and sheep.

All species except any domestic

form of the genera Bos, Bubalus,

Domestic cattle, buffalo, goats and

Capra and Ovis.

sheep are exempt.

Family Cervidae

The moose or elk and the caribou

or reindeer.

All species of the genera

Alces and Rangifer, except any domestic

The domestic moose or elk

form of these species.

and the caribou or reindeer are exempt.

Family Giraffidae

The giraffe and the okapi.

All species.

Family Hippopotamidae

The hippopotamus

and

the

pygmy hippopotamus.

All species.

Family Suidae

Old-world pigs (including the wild

boar and the wart hog).

All species except any domestic

form of the species Sus scrofa.

The domestic pig is exempt.

Family Tayassuidae

New-world pigs (otherwise known

as peccaries).

All species.

Hybrids

Any mammalian hybrids with at

least one parent of a specified kind, and

Any hybrid of a kind of animal any animal of which at least one parent is

specified (other than by way of exception) such a hybrid.

in the foregoing provisions of this

column where at least one parent is of a

This

does

not

apply

to

kind so specified, and any animal of exempt cat hybrids.

which at least one parent is such a hybrid.

This does not include an excepted

hybrid of the Family Felidae.

REPTILES

Crocodilians

Family Alligatoridae

Alligators and caimans.

All species.

Family Crocodylidae

Crocodiles and the false gharial.

All species.

Scientific name

Common name or names

Family Gavialidae

The gharial (otherwise

known

as the gavial).

All species.

Lizards and snakes

Family Atractaspididae

Burrowing asps, also known as

mole or burrowing vipers and stiletto

All species of

the

genus snakes.

Atractaspis.

Family Colubridae

Certain rear-fanged venomous

snakes, Montpellier snakes and African

All species of the genera Malpolon vine snakes (otherwise known as

and Thelotornis.

African twig or bird snakes).

The species Dispholidus typus,

The boomslang, the red-necked

Rhabdophis keelback, the yamakagashi (otherwise

Rhabdophis subminiatus,

lemniscatus, known as the Japanese tiger-snake), the

tigrinus, Elapomorphus

Tachymenis Argentine black-headed snake, the South

Philodryas

olfersii,

peruviana and Xenodon severus.

American green racer, the Peruvian racer

and the Amazon false viper.

Family Elapidae

Certain front-fanged venomous

snakes including cobras, coral snakes,

All species.

kraits, mambas, whipsnakes and all

Australian poisonous snakes (including

the death adders).

Family Hydrophiidae

Sea snakes.

All species.

Family Helodermatidae

The gila monster

and

the

(Mexican) beaded lizard.

All species.

Family Viperidae

Certain front-fanged venomous

snakes (including adders, the barba

All species.

amarilla, the bushmaster, the fer-de-

lance, moccasins, rattlesnakes and

vipers).

INVERTEBRATES

Spiders

Family Ctenidae

Wandering spiders, and other

species that might cause physical

The genus Phoneutria.

harm to humans and, or the eco-system.

Family Hexathelidae

The Sydney funnel-web spider

and its close relatives, and other species

The genus Atrax.

that might cause physical harm to

humans and, or the eco-system.

Family Sicariidae

Brown recluse spiders (otherwise

known as violin spiders), and other

The genus Loxosceles.

species that might cause physical harm

to humans and or the eco-system.

Scientific name

Common name or names

Family Theridiidae

The widow spiders and close

relatives, and

other

species

that

The genus Latrodectus.

might cause physical harm to humans

and, or the eco-system.

Scorpions

Family Buthidae

Buthid scorpions and other species

that might cause physical harm to

All species.

humans and, or the eco-system.

Family Hemioscorpiidae

Middle-Eastern

thin-tailed

scorpion and or other species that might

The

species

Hemiscorpius cause physical harm to humans and the

eco-system

lepturus.

(1) For the purposes of these regulations and unless the

context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall apply

"Act" means the Animal Welfare Act;

"Animal Welfare Directorate" includes, to the extent of the authority

given, any person or authority authorised by the Director to act on

behalf of the Directorate for the purposes of these regulations;

"dangerous animal" means any species of animal deemed

dangerous by the Director whether because it may cause injury or

damage to humans or otherwise;

"Director" means the Director for Animal Welfare;

"enclosure" means any confined space within which a dangerous

animal is to be kept in terms of these regulations;

"keeper" means a person or entity authorised by the Director to

keep a dangerous animal in terms of regulation 4;

"Malta" means the island of Malta and all of its constitutive

islands;

"register" means the National Dangerous Animals Register

which shall be kept by the Director;

"site" means an area or place where a dangerous animal is housed

or kept according to these regulations;

*see regulation 1(4) of these Regulations as originally promulgated, and Legal Notice

176 of 2016.

"zoo" means all permanent establishments where dangerous, exotic

and, or wild animals are kept for exhibition to the public whether or

not an admission fee is charged, with the exception of pet shops.

(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, words and phrases

used in these regulations which are not defined herein shall have

the same meaning assigned to them in article 2 of the Act.

Sostitwita

A.L. 199 tal-

(Regolament 3)

2024. Lista ta’ Annimali Perkolużi

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MAMMIFERI

Marsupjali

Familja Dasyuridae

Tasmanian devil.

L-ispeċi Sarcophilus laniarius.

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Macropodidae

Il-kangarù griż tal-Punent u tal-

Lvant, il-wallarù u il-kangarù l-aħmar.

L-ispeċi Macropus fuliginosus,

Macropus giganteus, Macropus robustus

u Macropus rufus.

Primati

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Familja Cebidae

Xadini tad-Dinja l-Ġdida (jinkludu

ix-xadini ċebi, miċete, saki, wakari, atele

L-ispeċi kollha, minbarra dawk tal- u muswaf).

ġeneru Aotus, Callicebus u Saimiri.

Xadini notturni (magħrufa ukoll

bħala xadina-kokka), titi u xadini

daharhom aħmar huma eżenti.

Familja Cercopithecidae

Xadini

tad-Dinja

l-Qadima

(jinkludu babun, drill, xadini kolobu,

L-ispeċi kollha.

gelada, guenons, languri, langur li jiekol

il-weraq, makakki, murill, mangabeys,

patas, proboscis u t-talapojn).

Familja Hominidae

Xadini

antropojd;

ximpanzi,

bonobo, orangutans u gorilli.

L-ispeċi kollha, ħlief dawk tal-

ġeneru Homo.

Familja Hylobatidae

Gibbuni u Siamangs.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Indriidae

Leaping lemurs (li jinkludu indri u

sifaki). Il-lemur muswafa huwa eżentat.

L-ispeċi

kollha

tal-ġeneru

Propithecus u Indri (Avahi lanigeris

huma eżenti).

Familja Lemuridae

Lemuri kbar.

L-ispeċi kollha, eżentati dawk tal-

Lemur tal-bambù

jew

lemur

ġeneru Hapalemur.

ġentili huma eżentati.

Edentates

Familja Dasypodidae

Armadillo ġgant.

L-ispeċi Priodontes maximus.

Familja Myrmecophagidae

Wikkiel in-nemel ġġant

L-ispeċi

Myrmecophaga

tridactyla.

Karnivori

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

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Familja Canidae

L-ispeċi kollha, inklużi klieb

selvaġġi, lupi, ġakall, lupu tal-krinjiera,

L-ispeċi kollha, ħlief dawk tal- kelb tal-buxx, dhole, volpijiet, kelb-

ġeneru Alopex, Cerdocyon, Dusicyon, rakkun, dingo.

Otocyon, Pseudolopex, Urocyon, Vulpes

u Nyctereutes. L-ispeċi Canis familiaris u

Il-kelb domestiku huwa eżentat.

Canis lupus familiaris, minbarra s-

sottospeċi canis familiaris dingo huma

wkoll eżentati.

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Felidae

Il-qtates kollha inkluż bobcat,

karakall, ċita, ġagwar, leopard, iljun,

Kollha minbarra

linċi, oselot, puma, savannah, serval u

tigra.

(a) l-ispeċi

Felis

silvestris,

Otocolobus manul, Leopardus tigrinus,

Li ġejjin huma eżentati

Oncifelis geoffroyi, Oncifelis guigna,

Catopuma badia, Felis margarita, Felis

(i) qattus selvaġġ, pallas

nigripes, Prionailurus rubiginosus u

cat, qattus żgħir ittikkjat, qattus

Felis silvestris catus;

ta’ Geoffroy, kodkod, bay cat,

qattus tar-ramel, qattus ta’ saqajh

(b) l-ispeċi ibrida li hija mnissla

suwed, rusty-spotted cat u l-qattus

esklussivament minn kwalunkwe speċi

domestiku;

waħda jew aktar minn speċi waħda

msemmija fil-paragrafu (a);

(ii) qattus ibridu li huwa

mnissel esklussivament minn

(ċ) ibrida fejn

wieħed

jew

aktar

minn

kwalunkwe speċi msemmija fil-

(i) wieħed mill-ġenituri hu

paragrafu (a);

Felis silvestris catus, u

(iii) qattus ibridu li għandu

(ii) l-ġenitur l-ieħor huwa

ġenitur wieħed qattus domestiku u

ibridu tal-ewwel ġenerazzjoni ta’

l-ġenitur l-ieħor ibridu tal-ewwel

Felis silvestris catus u kwalunkwe

ġenerazzjoni ta’ qattus domestiku

qattus mhux imniżżel fil-paragrafu

u kwalunkwe qattus li m’huwiex

(a);

elenkat fil-paragrafu (a);

(d) kwalunkwe qattus li huwa

(iv) kwalunkwe qattus li

mnissel esklussivament minn kwalunkwe

tnissel b’mod esklussiv minn

ibridu wieħed jew aktar li jinsabu fil-

kwalunkwe ibridu wieħed jew

paragrafu (ċ) (wieħed għandu jinjora,

aktar li jinsab fil-paragrafu (ċ);

għall-finijiet

li

jidetterminaw

l-

esklussività tan-nisel, il-ġenituri u l-

(v) kwalunkwe qattus li

antenati aktar remoti ta’ kwalunkwe

tnissel b’mod esklussiv minn

ibridu msemmi fil-paragrafu (ċ));

qattus

domestiku

u

minn

kwalunkwe speci waħda ibrida

(e) kwalunkwe qattus mnissel

jew aktar li tinsab fil-paragrafu

esklussivament minn Felis silvestris

(ċ).

catus u kwalunkwe ibridu wieħed jew

aktar li jinsab fil-paragrafu (ċ) (wieħed

għandu jinjora, għall-finijiet sabiex tiġi

determinata l-esklussività tan-nisel, il-

ġenituri u l-antenati aktar remoti ta’

kwalunkwe ibridu msemmi fil-paragrafu

(ċ)).

Familja Hyaenidae

Jeni. Il-proteli huwa eżentat.

Kollha minbarra l-ispeċi Proteles

cristatus.

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PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Mustelidae

Baġers (għajr baġer Ewrasjatiku),

lontri (għajr il-lontri Ewropew) u tayra,

L-ispeċi

kollha

tal-ġenera wolverine, fixer u ratel (jew magħruf

Amblonyx, Arctonyx, Aonyx, Enhydra, ukoll bħala l-baġer tal-għasel).

Lontra, Melogale, Mydaus, Pteronura u

Taxidea.

Il-ġeneru Lutra minbarra l-ispeċi

Lutra lutra.

L-ispeċi Eira barbara, Gulo gulo,

Martes pennanti u Mellivora capensis.

Familja Ursidae

L-orsijiet kollha inkluż panda

ġgant u panda l-ħamra.

L-ispeċi kollha inkluż l-ispeċi

Ailuropoda melanoleuca u Ailurus

fulgens.

Familja Viverridae

Żibett kbir ittikkjat, Żibett tal-

Afrika, tal-Malay, tal-Indja u Fossa.

Il-ġeneru Civettictis kollu.

Il-ġeneru Viverra kollu.

L-ispeċi Cryptoprocta ferox.

Pinnipedes

Familja Odobenidae

Walrus.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Otariidae

Foka bil-widnejn.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Phocidae

True seal jew foka mingħajr

widnejn.

L-ispeċi kollha minbarra Phoca

vitulina u Halichoerus grypus.

Il-foka komuni (jew il-foka tal-

port) u l-foka ġriża huma eżentati.

Iljunfanti

Familja Elephantidae

Iljunfanti.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Oritteropu

Familja Orycteropodidae

Oritteropu.

L-ispeċi Orycteropus afer.

Odd-toed ungulates

Familja Rhinocerotidae

Rinoċeronti.

L-ispeċi kollha.

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Tapiridae

Tapiri.

L-ispeċi kollha.

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Even-toed ungulates

Familja Antilocapridae

Antilop mogħża muqran.

L-ispeċi Antilocapra americana.

Familja Bovidae

Antilop, bison, buflu, għażżiela,

mogħoż u ngħaġ.

L-ispeċi

kollha

minbarra

kwalunkwe forma domestika tal-ġeneru

L-ispeċi domestiċi ta’ bovini,

Bos, Bubalus, Capra u Ovis.

buflu, ovini u l-kaprini huma eżentati.

Familja Cervidae

Moose jew elk u karibù jew renni.

L-ispeċi kollha tal-ġenera Alces u

Moose jew elk domestiċi u karibù

Rangifer, minbarra kwalunkwe forma jew renni huma eżentati.

domestika ta’ dawn l-ispeċi.

Familja Giraffidae

Ġiraffa u okapi.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Hippopotamidae

Ippopotamu u ippopotamu nanu.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Suidae

Ħnieżer

tad-Dinja

l-Qadima

(inkluż ħanżir selvaġġ u wart hog).

L-ispeċi

kollha

minbarra

kwalunkwe forma domestika tal-ispeċi

Ħanżir domestiku huwa eżentat.

Sus scrofa.

Familja Tayassuidae

Ħnieżer tad-Dinja l-Ġdida (jew

magħrufa wkoll bħala pekari).

L-ispeċi kollha.

Ibridi

Kwalunkwe ibridu ta’ speċi ta’

Kwalunkwe mammiferu ibridu li

annimal

speċifikat

(jekk

mhux tal-inqas għandu ġenitur wieħed tat-tip

b’eċċezzjoni)

fid-dispożizzjonijiet speċifikat, u kwalunkwe annimal fejn tal-

msemmija hawn qabel f’din il-kolonna inqas ġenitur wieħed huwa tali ibridu.

fejn tal-inqas ġenitur wieħed huwa tat-tip

Din ma tapplikax għal qtates ibridi

hekk speċifikat, u kwalunkwe annimal

fejn tal-inqas ġenitur wieħed huwa tali li huma eżentati.

ibridu.

Din ma tinkudix ibridi eżentati tal-

Familja Felidae.

RETTILI

Crocodilians

Familja Alligatoridae

Alligaturi u kajmani.

L-ispeċi kollha.

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Crocodylidae

Kukkudrilli u garjal falz.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Isem xjentifiku

Isem jew ismijiet komuni

Familja Gavialidae

Il-garjal (jew magħruf ukoll bħala

gavjal).

L-ispeċi kollha.

Gremxul u sriep

Familja Atractaspididae

Asp li jgħix f’ ħofra, magħrufa

ukoll bħala mole jew lifgħa li tgħix f’

L-ispeċi

kollha

tal-ġenera ħofra u sriep stiletto.

Atractaspis.

Family Colubridae

Ċerti sriep velenużi bin-nejbiet

fuq wara, sriep Montpellier u sriep tad-

L-ispeċi

kollha

tal-ġenera dwieli Afrikan (magħrufa wkoll bħala

Malpolon u Thelotornis.

serp tal-friegħi Afrikan jew għasfur-

serp).

L-ispeċi

Dispholidus

typus,

Rhabdophis subminiatus, Rhabdophis

Boomslang, keelback ta’ għonqu

tigrinus, Elapomorphus lemniscatus, aħmar, yamakagashi (magħruf ukoll

Philodryas

olfersii,

Tachymenis bħala s-serp tigra Ġappuniż), serp

peruviana u Xenodon severus.

Arġentinjan ta’ rasu sewda, green racer

tal-Amerka t’ Isfel, ir-racer Peruvjan u l-

lifgħa falza tal-Amażonja.

Familja Elapidae

Ċerti sriep velenużi bin-nejbiet

fuq quddiem inkluż kobra, sriep koralli,

L-ispeċi kollha.

krejts, mambas, sriep frosta u s-sriep

kollha Awstraljani li huma velenużi

(inkluż l-adder tal-mewt).

Familja Hydrophiidae

Sriep tal-baħar.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Helodermatidae

Mostru ta’ Gila u gremxul taż-

żibeġ Messikani.

L-ispeċi kollha.

Familja Viperidae

Ċerti sriep velenużi bin-nejbiet

fuq quddiem (inklużi adders, barba

L-ispeċi kollha.

amarilla,

buxxmaster,

fer-de-lance,

mokassini, sriep ċekċieka u lifgħat).

INVERTIBRATI

Brimb

Familja Ctenidae

Brimb wandering, u speċi oħra li

jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara fiżika lill-

Il-ġeneru Phoneutria.

bniedem u, jew lill-eko-sistema.

Familja Hexathelidae

Brimb Sydney funnel-web u brimb

oħra relatati mill-qrib, u speċi oħra li

Il-ġeneru Atrax.

jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara fiżika lill-

bniedem u, jew lill-eko-sistema.

PUSSESS U ŻAMMA TA’ ANNIMALI PERIKOLUŻI

Familja Sicariidae

Brimba kannella solitarja (jew

magħrufa ukoll bħala brimb vjolin), u

Il-ġeneru Loxosceles.

speċi oħra li jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara

fiżika lill-bniedem u, jew lill-eko-

sistema.

Isem xjentifiku

Isem jew ismijiet komuni

Familja Theridiidae

Brimba-armla u brimb ieħor

relatati mill-qrib, u speċi oħra li jistgħu

Il-ġeneru Latrodectus.

jikkawżaw ħsara fiżika lill-bniedem u,

jew lill-eko-sistema.

Skorpjuni

Familja Buthidae

Skorpjuni butid u speċi oħra li

jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara fiżika lill-

L-ispeċi kollha.

bniedem u, jew lill-eko-sistema.

Familja Hemioscorpiidae

Skorpjun ta’ denbu rqiq tal-Lvant

Nofsani u speċi oħra li jistgħu jikkawżaw

L-ispeċi Hemiscorpius lepturus.

ħsara fiżika lill-bniedem u, jew lill-eko-

sistema.

(1)

The Director may deem any animal to be a dangerous

animal.

(2)

A dangerous animal shall only be kept in a licensed zoo.

(3) A dangerous animal shall be identified as such in the list

reproduced in Schedule B.

(4) Any animal which is deemed dangerous in accordance with

sub-regulation (3), and is not found in a zoo after the date of the

coming into force of these regulations, may be kept on a site as

long as the provisions laid down in these regulations are observed

Provided that, if an animal is deemed to be a dangerous

animal by the Director and such animal has not been included in the

list reproduced in Schedule B, the Director may issue an emergency

order and take such steps for the dangerous animal to be kept in a

licensed zoo.

(5) An emergency order shall be published in the Gazette and

shall have effect immediately on its publication.

(6) An emergency order shall, for a period of six months from

its publication in the Gazette, have the same effect as if the

dangerous animal were included in the list reproduced in Schedule

B. It shall cease to have any effect on the expiration of the period

aforesaid.

(1) A dangerous animal shall not be brought into a site

before the required written approval is given by the Director in

terms of this regulation.

(2) Any person who intends to be a keeper of a dangerous

animal shall apply to the Director for registration as a keeper

through submission of the form established in Schedule A

Provided that dangerous animals shall be neutered within six

months with effect from 17 th February 2025 unless an exemption is

obtained from the Director in accordance with the guidelines

published in the Government Gazette and on the website of the

Department.

(3) Any person who, at the coming into force of these

regulations, is already in possession of a dangerous animal shall

apply to the Director through submission of the form established in

Schedule A within ninety days from the coming into force of these

regulations

Provided that a further ninety days with effect from 17 th

February 2025 shall be granted to any person who has not yet

complied with the requirements stipulated in these regulations.

(4)

Applicants shall submit to the Director all the details

required in Schedule A including

(a) non-reversible means of identification

of

the

dangerous animal proposed for keeping;

(b) proof of the appropriateness of the site and enclosure

proposed for the keeping of the dangerous animal;

(c) the measures to be taken by the applicant to secure the

safety and well-being of the dangerous animal and the

general public;

(d) any other proof or document as the Director may from

time to time require.

(5) The non-reversible means of identification shall be in the

form of a tattoo, intra-capsular device that complies with iso-

standard 11784 or Annex A iso-standard 11785 or a DNA profile

depending on which method is best suited to the dangerous animal

or any other means that the Director may deem appropriate.

(6) Upon submission of the application form prescribed in

Schedule A, the applicant shall pay a fee of ten euro (€10) for each

dangerous animal to be registered.

(7) The Director shall, within eight weeks from the application,

decide whether the applicant fulfils the requirements set out in

these regulations.

(8) The Director may refuse any application for any reason he

deems valid in the interest of the dangerous animal’s own safety

and well-being as well as the safety of the general public.

(9) No person shall deliberately release or attempt to release a

dangerous animal falling within the ambit of these regulations into

the environment or otherwise dispose of any such dangerous animal

in his possession.

(10) The Director may only uphold an application for the

keeping of a dangerous animal where he is satisfied that the

applicant is sufficiently knowledgeable as to the basic care,

handling, welfare and safety requirements relative to the particular

dangerous animal and is able to fulfil the requirements of these

regulations and any other applicable laws or regulations as well as

any conditions which may be imposed upon him.

(11) Upon upholding an application for registration as a keeper

of a dangerous animal the Director may impose any conditions he

deem fit on the authorized keeper with regards to the same animal

and any other relevant matters.

(12) Any offspring of any dangerous animal kept by a keeper in

terms of these regulations shall be notified to the Director within

one week from birth through written communication sent by

registered mail or email with receipt of delivery.

(13) The offspring have to be registered according to these

regulations within four weeks of birth.

(14) For every offspring registered according to sub-regulation

(13), a registration fee has to be paid in accordance with the list

prescribed by the Minister referred to in regulation 3(3).

(1) A dangerous animal kept in terms of these regulations

shall be kept in an adequate and safe enclosure that respects the

s a m e a n i m a l ’s r e q u i r e m e n t s i n c l u d i n g i n t e r m s o f h e a l t h ,

cleanliness and micro-climate necessary for such animal’s well

being.

(2) The proposed enclosure shall be inspected and approved by

the Director who shall, in particular, ascertain its appropriateness

with regard to size, comfort and safety with reference to the species

of the dangerous animal intended to be kept within it.

(3) The enclosure intended to house the dangerous animal shall

be built of sturdy and durable material in a manner that limits the

possibility of harm to the same animal or by the dangerous animal

as well as the possibility of escape.

(4) Enclosures may, depending on the dangerous animal

intended to be housed within them, be required by the Director

(a) to have an ante-room with a separate door made of

material which is strong and durable. Each door must

be easily lockable for the dangerous animal’s

custodian to lock and unlock it with ease, as required,

without permitting the same animal to unlock the

same;

(b) to comprise a restraining system for the restraining of

the dangerous animal for the necessary period of time

to access the enclosure for feeding, cleaning, the

administration of medication or otherwise.

(5) The Director may require enclosures to be monitored by

closed circuit television systems (CCTV) for twenty-four hours a

day, seven days a week with recordings for the previous three

months remaining available for production upon request by the

Director in a manner consistent with the requirement to ascertain

the health conditions and behaviour of the dangerous animal.

(6) The Director may require that enclosures shall have

sufficient artificial lighting to locate the animal without difficulty,

including at night, without affecting the dangerous animal’s

circadian rhythm, hibernation or general well-being.

(7) A dangerous animal kept in terms of these regulations shall

not leave the enclosure housing it except in such cases deemed

necessary and with the prior written approval of the Director.

A keeper of a dangerous animal in terms of these

regulations shall be solely and fully responsible for the same

animal and for any matter relating to the health and safety of the

dangerous animal and the general public.

(1) A keeper authorised to keep a dangerous animal in

terms of these regulations may be required to keep particular

substances, instruments or both substances and instruments deemed

necessary to ensure the safety of the same animal and of the general

public.

(2) A keeper of any dangerous animal in terms of these

regulations may, when necessary, be required to keep a tranquillizer

gun and, or any other appropriate instrument or device on the site

where the same animal is kept. Such device or instrument shall only

be used in case of extreme necessity when the dangerous animal is

out of control or is subjecting a human to danger.

(3) Any substance available to a keeper in terms of this

regulation shall

(a) be procured with the Director’s permission through

submission by the keeper of the form prescribed in

Schedule A and;

(b) be replenished with the Director’s permission as

necessary following a renewed notification by the

keeper

Provided that the Director may refuse authorisation for the

keeping of any substances by any keeper and shall keep a record in

the register established by regulation 8 of the type and quantity of

the substance kept and used by keepers and of any reason for

refusing to authorize the keeping of any substance by any particular

keeper.

(4)

Keepers shall immediately inform the Director of

(a) any use made of any substance held by them;

(b) the quantity in which the same substance is used, and;

(c) the time, place and reason why the substance was

used

Provided that the Director shall have the right to access

records kept by the keeper in terms of regulation 9

Provided further that the Director shall not authorize the

replenishment of any used amounts of any substance, unless

satisfied of the necessity that required the use thereof and the

necessity to replenish the same.

(5) Keepers required to keep a tranquilizer gun and, or any

other appropriate instrument or device in terms of these regulations

shall comply to all relevant laws and regulations relating to such

instruments.

(1) Any person authorised to keep a dangerous animal in

terms of these regulations shall be registered as a keeper in the

register.

(2)

The register shall indicate

(a) the name, surname, identity card

number

and

residential address of the keeper;

(b) the species of dangerous animal authorised to be kept

by the keeper;

(c) the non-reversible means of identification of the

dangerous animal as required by regulation 4(4)(a) and

(5) and by Schedule A;

(d) the full address of the site where at the dangerous

animal is kept;

(e) the batch number and quantity of any substance

notified to the Director for keeping by the keeper in

terms of regulation 7 or the reasons related to the

proviso to regulation 7(3);

(f)

details on the use of substances kept by the keeper in

terms of regulation 7 and the quantities in which such

substances are used;

(g) any other information as the Director may from time to

time require

Provided that all personal details of the keeper shall be

d e l e te d f r o m th e r e g i s t e r w he n t h e r e a re no an i m a l s i n h i s

possession any longer.

(3) The Director reserves the right to communicate, by

adopting the necessary safeguards, data contained in the register to

any other local or international authority or entity as may be legally

required.

(4) Any intended transfer of any dangerous animal from the

registered keeper onto a third person or entity shall be previously

communicated to the Director who shall approve the transfer or

otherwise in terms of these regulations.

(5) A transfer fee for every dangerous animal shall be paid

according to the list prescribed by the Minister referred to in

regulation 3(3).

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Data Protection

Act, no prior warning shall be given to the persons whose name and

other details appear in the register regarding the use or processes to

which the data contained in the register shall be subjected.

(1) A registered keeper of a dangerous animal subject to

these regulations shall keep records relating to that particular

animal on the site wherein the animal is located. Such records shall

include

(a) the origin of the dangerous animal including the name,

address and contact details of the person or entity from

which the same animal was acquired;

(b) the dangerous animal’s medical history including a list

of medication currently administered to it and the

veterinarian’s prescription relative to the same;

(c) any document related to the dangerous animal’s

importation or transfer.

(2) The Director may issue guidelines on the keeping of the

records referred to in sub-regulation (1).

(1) A dangerous animal which is kept or is present on a

s i t e w i t h o u t t h e D i r e c t o r ’s a u t h o r i s a t i o n i n t e r m s o f t h e s e

regulations, may be placed under the authority of the Director, and,

or may be relocated to a suitable destination, even if it had to be

outside the country, by the person responsible for its introduction

onto the site and, or the person keeping the animal in collaboration

with the Director who shall ensure the smooth relocation of the

dangerous animal.

(2) The Director may seize the dangerous animal and may

dispose of including through sale or public auction.

(3) The proceeds from the sale or public auction referred to in

sub-regulation (2) shall go towards the Animal Welfare Fund, to be

established by the Minister for such purpose.

(4) All expenses relating to the process referred to in this

regulation shall be solely borne by the person responsible for the

dangerous animal’s introduction onto the site and, or the person

keeping the dangerous animal.

Animals listed in Schedule B may be used for cinematic

performances as props or extras in the territory of Malta as long as

(a) the animals enter the country in accordance with

article 23 of the Act;

(b) all dangerous animals which are performing during

filming shall be identified by a permanent means of

identification, or as deemed most appropriate by the

Director;

(c) these animals may enter the country only for a

temporary period of time, as necessary for the shooting

of the film which in any case may not be longer than

three (3) months.

(d) each dangerous animal entering the country must be

accompanied by a natural person who shall be the

contact point and the responsible person for those

animals. He shall also be considered the keeper of

these animals;

(e) the animals entering the country shall be in good

health and fit to travel

Provided that they shall also be in conformity with

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of 9 March 2016 on

transmissible animal diseases and amending and

repealing certain acts in the area of animal health

("Animal Health Law");

(f)

any animal who dies during its stay in Malta, shall be

disposed of in accordance with Regulation (EC) No

1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the

Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules

as regards animal by-products and derived products

not intended for human consumption and repealing

Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal by-products

Regulation);

(g) if any animal gives birth to offspring during its stay in

Malta, the offspring shall return to the country of

origin of the animal which gave birth to them and shall

not remain in the territory of Malta;

(h) the site where the animal shall be housed shall be

approved prior to its entry into Malta and this housing

shall be in line with the minimum standards for that

species;

(i)

any animal which is being utilised for filming may exit

the approved housing of that animal and be kept in a

more confined mobile enclosure for transport of the

said animal to the filming set. Only the appointed

handler or keeper of that animal may accompany it;

(j)

an application shall be submitted to the Veterinary

Services before the intended entry into the country of

the animal. Approval may be granted only subject to

the provisions specified in the Act and the Veterinary

Services Act;

(k) the Animal Welfare Directorate may establish other

conditions which shall be deemed necessary before these

animals are brought into Malta;

(l)

all persons who shall be in contact with the dangerous

animals during the filming shall be made aware of the

dangers that these animals may pose to them. This

refers to the physical danger which may be posed by

these animals, as well as the possibility of

transmission of certain infectious diseases;

(m) it is necessary that on the film set there is a weapon or

a tool that may stop that animal if it were to turn

ferocious, become uncontrollable or a threat to any

human in the vicinity. Therefore there shall be a

handler capable of managing the weapon or tool. The

killing of the animal may be warranted under those

circumstances.

(1) The Director shall have the authority to enter any site

within which a dangerous animal is kept in order to inspect the

same.

(2) The Director’s authority to inspect extends to any

enclosure, equipment, substances and registers with a view of

ascertainin g the proper k eepi ng, health and welfare o f any

dangerous animal as well as the proper administration of

substances and equipment and compliance with these and any other

applicable regulations or conditions imposed on the keeper.

(3) Where the Director has reason to believe that he may be

hindered in his right of entry for the purpose of inspection, he shall

request and obtain the assistance of the police.

(1) The Director shall serve an enforcement notice on any

keeper when satisfied of the occurrence of any matter established in

sub-regulation (2).

(2)

An enforcement notice shall be served on any keeper who

(a) is keeping a dangerous animal in an inappropriate

manner which is inconsistent with these regulations,

its safety or welfare or the safety or welfare of the

general public;

(b) is keeping a dangerous animal in an enclosure which

fails to fulfil the requirements imposed on the keeper

by these regulations;

(c) has otherwise breached these regulations, any other

applicable laws or regulations or any condition

imposed upon him.

(3)

An enforcement notice shall require the keeper to

(a) conform to these or any other laws or regulations

within sixteen days or a period which the Director may

decide;

(b) conform with any condition imposed upon him by the

Director within sixteen days or a period which the

Director may decide;

(c) carry out such works or take such steps as the Director

may deem necessary and appropriate to remedy or

prevent the continuation or repetition of any breach to

which the enforcement relates within sixteen days or a

period which the Director may decide; or

(d) relinquish his authorisation as a keeper in terms of

these regulations.

(4)

An enforcement notice shall

(a) state the period of time within which the keeper is to

comply with the order contained therein; and

(b) inform the keeper of the right of appeal under these

regulations

Provided that the period of time within which the keeper is

to comply with an order contained in an enforcement notice shall

be reasonable depending on the circumstances.

(5)

The Director may at any time

(a) withdraw the enforcement notice;

(b) extend the period for compliance with any requirement

contained in the enforcement notice;

(c) modify the enforcement notice.

(1) Keepers authorised to keep dangerous animals by

virtue of these regulations shall inform the Director through written

communication sent by registered mail or email with receipt of

delivery immediately upon the occurrence of any of the following

circumstances

(a) the escape of the dangerous animal;

(b) the demise of the dangerous animal.

(2) Disposal of the dangerous animal’s carcass shall be carried

out in line with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European

Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down

health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not

intended for human consumption.

(3) In the interest of public safety and national security, any

escape shall be immediately reported by the keeper to the

competent authorities.

(1) Decisions of the Director in terms of these regulations

shall be subject to a right of appeal to the Administrative Review

Tribunal established by article 5(1) of the Administrative Justice

Act.

(2) An appeal in terms of this regulation shall be filed within

twenty days from the notification of the Director’s decision

Provided that the Director’s decision shall become

immediately applicable and enforceable and shall remain

applicable throughout the term of appeal until final judgment by the

Administrative Review Tribunal and shall remain applicable unless

it is overturned by the Tribunal or withdrawn by the Director.

(3) The provisions of the Code of Organization and Civil

Procedure regarding the right to appeal shall, mutatis mutandis, be

applicable to these regulations.

Registered keepers shall obtain insurance coverage as a

safeguard for any potential loss or damage that the dangerous

animal may cause in particular to third parties.

(1) The provisions of these regulations shall in no way be

interpreted as to limit, substitute or exclude the applicability of any

other laws or regulations including those relating to trade,

movement or importation of animals and the holding of substances

or arms.

(2) The provisions of article 23 and 30(1) of the Criminal Code

shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to proceedings in respect of offences

against these regulations.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of article 370 of the

Criminal Code, proceedings for an offence against these

regulations shall be taken before the Court of Magistrates (Malta)

or the Courts of Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be, and shall

be held in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code

regulating procedure before the said courts as courts of criminal

judicature.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Code, the

Attorney General shall always have a right of appeal to the Court of

C ri mi nal A pp eal from a ny ju dg men t gi ven b y t he Co urt o f

Magistrates.

Additional provisions or requirements with regards to the

keeping of a dangerous animal including the holding of

examinations aimed at ascertaining an applicant’s knowledge of a

particular dangerous animal’s welfare and safety requirements prior

to authorising an applicant to keep any dangerous animal may be

prescribed by the Minister.

Any person who contravenes or acts in violation of these

regulations shall, on conviction, be guilty of an offence and shall be

liable to the penalties established in the Act.