Q25: I want to demolish a barn on my land and there are bats living there, what do I have to do?

As a European Protected Species (EPS), there are strict regulations with regards to bat conservation that you need to be aware of prior to starting any project of this nature. In England, a government agency called Natural England offer advice on such matters and may arrange a visit your home to offer you the necessary help. Their advice may be to wait until the bats have left for the autumn to carry out your work, or to suggest the use of bat boxes to re-home the bats. Natural England can grant what is known as a Bat Mitigation Licence, which may allow you to carry out the work subject to certain conditions. 

In Wales, Natural Resources Wales are the body responsible for monitoring any disturbance of bats and, like Natural England, they are able to grant a licence for work to be carried out in certain circumstances.

You must not go ahead and carry out the work without first consulting the appropriate authority as you will be committing a criminal offence and could be liable for a large fine or custodial sentence.

For more detailed advice on this subject please contact the Bat Conservation Trust, linked in the 'Related Information' section.

See also Q25 (I want to demolish a barn on my land and there are bats living there, what do I have to do?) for further information.

Care should be taken in buying animals or birds from adverts in the newspapers or online. Below are examples of steps that should be taken with respect to particular birds and animals.

Barn Owl - it is illegal to sell a barn owl that is not captive bred and close ringed or microchipped. If you are thinking of buying a barn owl then it must be accompanied by an Article 10 certificate (issued by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) (DEFRA). The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) do not advocate the buying of owls as they do not make good domestic pets.

Bird of Prey - the same applies as with barn owls, the bird of prey must be ringed or microchipped and accompanied by the Article 10 certificate. If the bird of prey is a Honey Buzzard, Golden Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Osprey, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon or Merlin they must also be registered with DEFRA.

Tortoise – Depending on the species of tortoise you may again require an Article 10 certificate. If you are going to buy a tortoise make sure it is from a reputable breeder and a certificate (if required). Buying a tortoise is not as simple as it may appear as some are now endangered species. Please see the Tortoise Trust website in the 'Related Information', for further information on buying and caring for tortoises.

The RSPCA state that if the deer is uninjured it should be left alone and will more than likely wander back into an area of safety. If the deer is injured, then contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 who will be able to advise you.

However, in circumstances where it is likely that the animal or other road users will be placed in danger or injured, e.g. the deer is causing an obstruction on a busy main road, contact the police using 999 or the Highways agency who will deal with the situation.

Hare coursing is where dogs are trained and used to chase, catch and kill live hares. Hare coursing is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004. It is illegal to participate, attend, knowingly facilitate or permit land to be used for a hare coursing event.

If you believe hare coursing activity is happening on your land then you should contact your local police force using 101 or use the link in related information. If you suspect a crime is currently taking place then you should contact 999.

Please see the websites in 'Related Information' for further details which include the Act and a glossary of poaching terms.