A Wildlife charity has called for urgent new laws to restrict people from keeping deadly animals as pets.

The Born Free Foundation has found that local authorities around the UK have handed out permits for private owners to keep 2,727 animals that are listed as dangerous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

These include big cats, primates and even crocodiles. Around 400 of the permits were for venomous snakes, which could mean there are ten times as many venomous snakes being kept as pets as there are in UK zoos.

Dr Mark Jones, from the charity, said: “It’s unbelievable that, in this day and age, so many dangerous animals continue to be legally kept in people’s homes in the UK.

“It also results in serious animal suffering, and the demand increases the pressure on many wild populations, which are often already under threat.”