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-25-
There are no premises in the Borough where rag flock or other
filling materials are manufactured but 40 premises are registered for
the use of such materials in the trades conducted therein.
During the year, one sample of rag flock and one sample of coir
fibre were submitted for examination, both of which were reported by
the prescribed analyst as satisfactory.
(18) Pet Animals Act, 1951
This Act, which came into operation on the 1st April, 1952, provides
for the regulation of the sale of animals. As from the operative
date, no person may keep a pet shop except under the authority
of a licence granted by the Borough Council and the Act lays down the
conditions under which a licence is granted, which Include accommodation
for the animals, the feeding thereof, their age at sale, steps
to be taken in regard to infectious disease and in case of fire or
other emergency. The Act prohibits the sale of animals as pets in
any part of a street or public place except at a stall or barrow In
a market and it prohibits the sale of pets to children under 12 years
of age.
The Act presented particular difficulties in this Borough because
of the unique dog market in "Club Row" where trading in dogs on
Sunday mornings had been carried on for a considerable number of
years, particularly by persons parading in the market with one or
more pet animals for sale. Notwithstanding all the difficulties, it
was possible by means of posters, visits by the Sanitary Inspectors,
and the excellent co-operation of the Police and the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to bring to the attention of
all persons trading in the market the provisions of the Act and, in
the maln^to prevent illegal trading and to improve conditions under
which pet animals are sold.
During the year, 20 licences were granted in respect of pet
shops and 56 licences in respect of stalls.
It was necessary on three occasions to take legal proceedings
against offenders under the Act, the Magistrate inflicting fine and
costs totalling £3.1s.0d. in one case, in another the defendant was
discharged and in the third case it was not possible to effect
service of the summons on the defendant. In addition, 40 warnings
(33 written and 7 verbal) were given in connection with various
infringements of the Act.