Dorset's Monkey World back calls for tighter rules on primates as pets
The RSPCA says keeping them safely at home is 'practically impossible'
Monkey World in Dorset has welcomed new laws which impose ‘strict requirements’ on people keeping primates as pets.
The government recently introduced changes for those with the animals but haven’t outlined exactly what measures need to be taken.
It comes after the RSPCA said ‘meeting the needs of monkeys is practically impossible to do in a household’.
Dr Alison Cronin from the Wareham attraction urges the Government to provide more clarity as to how new regulations will be implemented:
"Any monkeys kept in sitting rooms, in solitary confinement and not fed properly - we can't protect them if Government documents aren't released.
"Those people who own primates need details of the legislation. How are they supposed to keep them? How big are outdoor enclosures supposed to be? Until the Government specifies what the detail is, there's no way for anybody to improve the lives of primates and know that they're meeting the standards expected.
"If the facilities aren't good enough, they should be confiscated or seized."
Estimates from the RSPCA suggest there could be as many as 5,000 monkeys being kept as pets across the country.
David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: "This new law is a really welcome move for animal welfare - helping ensure monkeys can live in an appropriate environment.
"Sadly, our frontline officers have seen the impact of pet primates living in houses, being fed inappropriate diets and experiencing a poor and unacceptable quality of life.
"But with thousands of pet monkeys estimated to be being kept across England, we need clear direction now from the UK Government about how these new regulations will be implemented, what provisions will be made for monkeys needing to leave inappropriate homes, and how local authorities will be supported to enforce the rules."