Magician slapped with $579 fee from city for using bunny in act — and he can’t make bill disappear
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A children’s magician in Derby, England, says he’s been blindsided by a surprise bill from his local council — all because of a rabbit.
Stuart Brown, 60, who performs as Magic Stuart, has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years with the help of Snowy, his tame white rabbit. But last week, Derby City Council informed him that simply including Snowy in his shows now requires a license — at a cost of £460 (about $579) for a three-year permit, with renewals costing £350 ($443).
“I was shocked, to be honest,” Brown told the Derby Telegraph. “I’ve never been charged a penny for using rabbits before. It just seems incredibly excessive.”
Brown said Snowy’s role is minimal and far from a trained performance. “He isn’t trained at all. He’s just a very tame rabbit I bring out to greet the kids — maybe for 10 minutes at the end of a show. He’s out for maybe 20 minutes a month.”
The council has categorized Snowy under regulations for “keeping or training animals for exhibition,” part of national animal welfare laws that came into force in 2018. These rules require licensing for anyone using animals in performances, whether it’s for TV, theater, circuses, or live demonstrations.
Brown, however, believes the regulations are being applied too broadly. “They’ve lumped me in with people who run full animal shows or keep exotic animals. It doesn’t make sense.”
Derby City Council defended the charge, stating the licensing rules are in line with other councils across the country. “A license has been required for the keeping or training of animals for exhibition since October 1, 2018,” a spokesperson said.
The council’s fee structure includes $1,515 for dog breeders with over 11 breeding females, $928 for pet sellers, and $1,350 for horse operators. Keeping dangerous wild animals costs over $1,000 per year.
Brown, who lost his job at Toyota over 20 years ago, now works full-time as a magician, performing at schools, parties, and many charity events. He says Snowy plays a special role, particularly for children facing serious illnesses.
“Some of the kids I perform for have life-limiting conditions,” he said. “Snowy brings them comfort. He’s part of the magic, and they love him.”
He’s currently filling out the six-page application form but says many of the questions don’t apply. “It asks what kind of training the animal receives — none. Or if it’s for TV or circus shows — it’s not. I just don’t fit the mold,” he said.
Brown plans to submit the application with an attached letter explaining his case, but he’s worried about the long-term impact.
“This kind of expense can really hit a small one-man business like mine — especially when I do so much unpaid work for charities,” he said.
For now, the future of Snowy’s appearances is uncertain — and Brown is left wondering whether a little magic is still possible without a hefty bill hanging over his act.
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