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46
Rodent Control.
(Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.)

The staff employed on this work consists of five operatives and one rodent officer working
under the supervision of a sanitary inspector.
Pet Animals Act, 1951.
This Act, which came into force on the 1st April, 1952, regulates the sale of pet animals
(which term includes any vertebrate), and provides that no person shall keep a pet shop unless
licensed by a local authority.
It further provides that, before granting such licence, the local authority shall secure
that the premises are suitable, that animals will be adequately accommodated and fed, will
not be sold at too early an age, and that reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent the
spread of disease.
The Act makes it an offence to sell pets to children under the age of 12 years, and forbids
the sale of pets in a street or public place except at a stall or barrow in a market.
Licences expire on the 31st December each year, and cost 10s.
Appeal against a refusal to license may be made to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.
Local authorities have power to prosecute offenders and the penalties which may be
imposed on summary conviction include fines and/or imprisonment.
During 1952 licences were granted to five applicants. No offences were reported.