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30
DOG NUISANCES
Apart from being an objectionable social offence, fouling of
footways by dogs is a public health nuisance for which an adequate
remedy is hard to find.
While it has been shown that dogs can carry and excrete
germs capable of producing illness in man, it is seldom that cases
of human disease can positively be related to infections originating
from this source. Nevertheless, such instances do occur and the
potential risk cannot be ignored. Certainly dog filth is an
attraction to flies and blowflies, with consequent possibilities of
conveyance of infection.
The main objection, however, to the fouling of pavements
and grass verges by dog excreta is the nauseating revulsion, embarrassment
and distress caused by chance pollution of shoes, clothing,
mats and carpets, necessitating disgusting and time-consuming
cleansing operations.
The Council's byelaw dealing with this nuisance provides
that:-
"No person being in charge of a dog shall allow
the animal to foul the footway of any street or
public place by depositing its excrement thereon.
For the purposes of this byelaw the owner of the
dog shall be deemed to be in charge thereof, unless
the Court is satisfied that at the time when the
dog fouled the footway it had been placed in or
taken into the charge of some other person."
During the year two prosecutions were taken under this
byelaw. Convictions were secured in both cases and fines amounting
to £1. 0s. 0d., with £1.11s. 6d. costs, were imposed.
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The Council have accepted the responsibility, within their
powers, for co-ordinating and assisting in the extension of
activities for aged persons and to alleviate unsatisfactory
conditions under which many old people are living.
Co-operation with voluntary bodies interested in the
welfare of old people is effected wherever possible. In order that
action taken shall be uniform, the Kensington Old People's Welfare
Voluntary Committee act as an intermediary between the Council and
the voluntary bodies. Four members of the Public Health Committee
serve on the Old People's Welfare Voluntary Committee which acts as
a co-ordinating non-executive Committee through which voluntary
bodies claim assistance from the Council and through which the
Council pass requests for executive action.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Ministry
of Health issued a joint circular requesting local authorities to
consider how to improve the provision made for the well-being of old
people. The circular, which outlined the various services provided,
was considered by the Public Health Committee in April, 1961, who
were satisfied that the functions, which can be properly carried out
by a metropolitan borough, were being administered in Kensington
substantially in accordance with the suggestions made in the
circular.