Birmingham City Council has disclosed that the whereabouts of a small Caiman crocodile remain unknown, as part of a broader report on animal welfare complaints over the past year. The council's animal welfare team, responsible for inspections and enforcement, received 27 complaints regarding alleged illegal trading from non-licensed premises in 2025/26.
Illegal Trading Complaints and Crocodile Case
The complaints included breeding and selling puppies without a dog breeder's license, breeding and selling kittens without a pet sales license, and boarding dogs at home without a boarding license. Notably, one case involved a person keeping a small Caiman crocodile without the required Dangerous Wild Animal Act documentation. The council obtained a warrant to seize the crocodile, but upon execution, it was not found at the premises, and its location remains unknown.
Other Animal-Related Enquiries
In addition to the 27 complaints, the council received 14 complaints regarding licensed animal premises, leading to further inspections and advice. A total of 227 other enquiries and complaints were logged, covering issues such as stray cats, poultry keeping, puppy yoga, selling chickens from vehicles, and enquiries about keeping dangerous wild animals and primates.
Stray Dogs and XL Bully Seizures
On stray dogs, the council reported seizing 564 dogs over the year, with 519 impounded at kennels and 45 returned directly to their owners. Many of these dogs are larger bull breeds. The council noted: "If these dogs are not trained and socialised from a young age, they can sometimes become unmanageable and some owners abandon them." The number of XL Bully dogs seized as strays has fallen significantly, from 31 in 2024/25 to 13 in the past year. All were seemingly abandoned, as none were claimed by their owners. The council emphasized that some of these dogs present a real risk to officers and often require handling by two officers due to health and safety concerns.
Impact of the XL Bully Ban
The council continues to deal with the repercussions of amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act, which introduced restrictions on owning XL Bully type dogs. The decline in seizures reflects a downward trend, but the council remains vigilant in addressing abandoned animals and ensuring public safety.
