Britons opt for strange pets

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London, Dec 28 (Reuters) Animal loving Britons have taken their obsession with furry pets to new lengths including many members of the cat family not usually associated with domesticity, according to a survey published.

The Big Cats in Britain (BCIB) group used the Freedom of Information Act to survey local councils on the weird and woolly creatures legally kept in private hands.

It found a total of 154 assorted cats -- including 12 lions, 14 tigers, 50 leopards and 16 wild cats -- plus 2,000 ostriches and nearly 500 monkeys.

At the same time 300 American bison and 6,000 wild boars are also kept privately.

At the less cuddly end of the spectrum BCIB found more than 250 poisonous snakes and 50 members of the crocodile family.

The figures exclude zoo animals.

''Although these animals are regarded by law as dangerous, the public should rest assured, that these animals very rarely escape,'' said researcher Shaun Stevens yesterday.

''Where escapes are reported the animals tend to be recaptured quickly and without any harm to the public,'' he added.