4.—(1) A person who intends to keep a cat or dog as a pet in any premises must submit an application for a licence in accordance with this rule.
(2) The application under paragraph (1) —
(a)
in the case where the cat or dog (as the case may be) is sterilised — may be for a perpetual licence or a periodic licence; or
(b)
in any other case — must be for a periodic licence.
(3) The application must be —
(a)
made to the Director‑General and in the form and manner required by the Director‑General; and
(b)
accompanied by —
(i)
proof that the cat or dog (as the case may be) is implanted with a microchip; and
(ii)
the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General.
(4) The application must also be accompanied by proof that the applicant has successfully completed the specified course on pet ownership if —
(a)
in the case of an application for a licence in respect of a cat —
(i)
the application is the applicant’s first application for a licence in respect of a cat under these Rules; and
(ii)
the applicant has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a dog under these Rules; or
(b)
in the case of an application for a licence in respect of a dog —
(i)
the application is the applicant’s first application for a licence in respect of a dog under these Rules;
(ii)
the applicant has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a cat under these Rules; and
(iii)
the applicant —
(A)
does not hold at the time of the application; and
(B)
has not held at any time before the application,
a licence in respect of any dog issued under the revoked Rules.
(5) The Director‑General may, before deciding on the application, require the applicant (not being an applicant to whom paragraph (4) applies) to —
(a)
undergo the specified course on pet ownership in relation to the application (whether or not the applicant has previously completed the course in relation to any previous application under these Rules); and
(b)
provide (within the time the Director‑General requires) proof that the applicant has successfully completed the course.
(6) The Director‑General may —
(a)
on payment of the appropriate licence fee, issue a licence permitting the applicant to keep the cat or dog (as the case may be) in the premises and for the duration specified in the licence; or
(b)
refuse the application.
(7) If the Director‑General refuses the application under paragraph (6)(b), the Director‑General must, if requested to do so by the applicant, state in writing the reasons for the refusal.