The person made liable under the Animals Act 1971, s.2.. The keeper is the person who owns the animal or has it in his possession, or is the head of the household of which a member under the age of 16 owns it or has it in his possession. If a person ceases to own or have possession of the animal he will remain the keeper until another person becomes the keeper. A person who takes possession of an animal to prevent it from causing damage or to return it to its owner does not, merely by so doing, become a keeper.