Case Study

Case Study

Analyse the Problem

Summary of Facts

Barry lives alone in a 3 bedroom terraced house in a residential area of Putney. He owns the property outright, having inherited it from his mother, following her death 3 years ago. Although he is only in his 30s, Barry is not a particularly sociable person. He is an actuary for a large Insurance company who spends his days working alone at his computer in a tiny office, devising and studying actuarial tables and calculating the premiums to be paid in respect of some of the company's more unusual, potentially high-risk, insurance contracts. Barry is well thought of by his employers who rely heavily on his particular expertise; as a result he works very long hours, including the occasional Saturday morning.

In his spare time Barry prefers to stay at home pursuing his various hobbies: he has an extensive library of “collectable” comics and a sizeable catalogue of computer games. However, his biggest interest is the keeping and breeding of various “fancy” rodents.

Recently his neighbours on both sides have begun to complain about this menagerie. They claim that the animals smell and make a great deal of noise squeaking, screaming, scrabbling about and fighting. They also insist that all of this, plus the food that Barry puts out for his rodents — much of which they allege gets spilled onto the ground — attracts other, wild, vermin. They have threatened Barry with legal action if he doesn't get rid of his animals, claiming that keeping that amount of livestock in a built up area is a health hazard and illegal. Barry is really upset at the Prospect of losing all his “furry friends”. He also states that he makes a nice little profit from selling the young that he breeds to local pet shops and to members of the public over the internet. He admits that he is keeping quite a lot of animals in a relatively small space, but insists they are well cared for and happy, or otherwise they would not breed. Barry wants to know if anyone can force him to get rid of his animals.

Summary of Issues

Barry is not social, so will he have any contacts to save himself from this problem?

Would there will be importance of neighbours complain, or Barry's hobbies?

Is there issue with the street rodents, or Barry putting the food in the street?

Is threatening of neighbours a rite way to behave?

Is this appropriate to stop Barry's income which he earns through those animals?

Keeping the animals out would unable them to breed. Would that be legal?

Can Barry claim help from the threat, and if so, from whom?

Can the original issue be identified?

Key Words or Phrases

Neighbours AND rodents AND law

Neighbours AND rodents AND security claim

Pet AND law

Neighbours AND street food

Advice

UK law of Rodents as a Pet

In the UK there are two Home Office documents providing recommendations for the housing and care of animals bred for and used in scientific procedures. The Home Office Code of Practice for the ...