licence to own a bengal?

I have just heard from a breeder, that in the near future, ie in the next year or so, it will be neccesary to gain a licence to own a bengal. Apparently all households will be vetted before granted a licence.
This is in the UK.
Is this true? Apparently the reasoning behind this is that these cats have wild blood, and are aggressive and unpredictable.
From what i hear, this is true for all bengal cats, not just the first four generation outcrosses.
Is this true? Can someone help clear this up for me?

You know, if someone is trying to say they are dangerous, then they just don't know what they are talking about. If you study up on Bengal's, you'll read that they were bred specifically for a sweet disposition. Even the Asian Leopard Cat, their wild ancestor is not an agressive cat. In fact they are rather timid.

I did a lot of research on Bengal's before I got my kitten, and all I read was glowing praise about the SBT Bengals. They are playful, and mischevious, but not mean. I think any cat can be mean, if it is abused, or depending on how it was raised, but the basic nature of a Bengal is that of a sweet, loving cat, with lots of energy, and playfulness.

My kitten is a sweet little thing, and he's happy and very playful.

Bengal's are domesticated cats, they may have a wild ancestor, but they are domesticated. If someone is trying to pass a law to licenced, then they simply don't understand Bengals.

Go to the fur pictures section, and check out the pictures of my baby Bangel, and you'll see he's playful, but an adorable little sweetheart.

I know Hope, i've seen your little Simba, he's an absolute darling.
Infact i'm thinking of getting a bengal, it's just during some research this is what i've heard.
The agression/meaness as you say does occur in all breeds if cats are mistreated, i agree.
It's this licencing i'm confused about, don't see the point? or even know if its true.
Please don't think i'm attacking the bengal breed, far from it. I'm totally in love with this cat, just want to know what this supposed commotion over the breed is about.

I just think there is someone in the Government who is misinformed about the Bengals, if they are trying to pass a law that you need a special licence to own a Bengal. Sounds to me, as if they need to be educated, and there is plenty of information online about Bengals. In fact the best article I read about owning a Bengal was written by a British man who owns and I think breeds Bengals.

Why not call your local SPCA, and see what they say about this?

ill definately have to ring around and find out about this. I agree people are very quick to judge a breed without even fully knowing about it.

I know that in Denver (city and county) Bengals are considered "exotic species" no matter what generation, and you have to jump through hoops to get a license. Exotic licenses are generally not given. I know this because there was a big new story about a man fighting to keep his Bengal because the city told him to either destroy it or move.

Originally posted by valanhb
I know that in Denver (city and county) Bengals are considered "exotic species" no matter what generation, and you have to jump through hoops to get a license. Exotic licenses are generally not given. I know this because there was a big new story about a man fighting to keep his Bengal because the city told him to either destroy it or move.

Click to expand...

So, what happened with his cat? Did he have to move? I think that's insane. I guess, if they were going to pass that kind of a law, I wouldn't tell anyone that my cat was a Bangel.

wow, so it seems there may be some truth to it.
Apparently this licensing, and vetting will begin, sometime next february in the UK.
It does seem very extreme. i must say i'm very suprised.

I'm not 100% sure what happened to it, but I think last I heard he was looking for a foster until he could sell his house in Denver and move.

Here's the really sad thing...the only reason the City knew it was a Bengal was because HE changed the breed from Tabby when he renewed the cat's license. He had had the cat for something like 5 years, never had been a problem. When the City officials saw the renewal they tried to confiscate the cat and destroy it! There isn't a specific law against Bengals, just some jerk in his office decided that Bengals, no matter what generation, are considered an exotic species.

Isn't there some way to enlighten this guy. SBT's are as domesticated as a Siamese cat. In fact, I think Siamese cats are more agressive than Bangels.

I have not heard of this in Ca, seems like they would go after the breeders and not let them sell kittens if it were a law in the making.
I am going to call my cats breeder, and get his comments.

I did read on one website where breeders of other breeds made a big fuss when Bengals where first being shown, claiming they were wild and vicious. I think It was on the Millwood Bengal site as Jean Millwood is the founder of the breed.

I read on the bengal list on yahoo about how Illinois was trying to "outlaw" the bengal in certain counties.
If you ask me, I wish the damned lawmakers would quit with the bengal thing. I own 5 of them ... It's the fact that they are ancestors of the asian leopard cat is why the consider the bengal to be a wild cat, even though sbt bengals are not .. they just have the ancestor.

Wow - this is silly! We have about 6 bengal breeders here in NZ and I'm a handler at the cat shows and the bengals are definitly by far one of the most easiest to handle cats... I don't think a license should be needed for owners of bengals, all cats are desended from wild cats no matter what breed they are, right?

Grrr...!