Commentary on Sections Section 3 - Meaning of “wild animal”
15.A “wild animal” is an animal of a kind which is not commonly domesticated in the British Islands. Animals considered commonly domesticated in a place other than the British Islands would be considered “wild animals” under the Act if they are not commonly domesticated in the British Islands.
16.There may be uncertainty or conflicting views about whether an animal is wild or not. Section 3(2) allows Welsh Ministers to make regulations to specify kinds of animals that are, or are not, to be regarded as wild for the purposes of the Act. This power does not require Welsh Ministers to list in regulations all the animals they consider to be, or do not consider to be, “wild animals” for the purpose of the Act.
17.“Animal” means vertebrate animals (see section 1 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006). But section 1(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 allows Welsh Ministers by regulations to change that definition (which could include extending the definition of “animal” to include invertebrates).