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34
Rodent Control
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
This Act lays a duty upon a local authority to see that their district is kept free from
rats and mice. It empowers them to carry out inspections and to require owners and
occupiers to keep their land and premises free from infestation. Occupiers are required
to give notification in writing of infestation by rats or mice to the local authority.
Report for 9 months ended 31st December, 1959
In accordance with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Circular PDP/1959/1
dated 9th March, 1959, rodent control grants, payable under Section 11 of the Prevention
of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, ceased to be made on expenditure incurred by the Council
after 31st March, 1959. As requested in the Circular, the following report covers the
period from 1st April to 31st December, 1959.
Type of Property
Local
Authority
Dwelling
Houses
Agricultural
All other
(including
Business and
Industrial)
Total
I. Total number of properties in
Local Authority's District 13 6,033 — 7,362 13,408
II. Number of properties inspected (a) 2 79 — 84 165
as a result (a) of notification (b) (b) — 199 — 588 787
survey, or (c) otherwise (c) 1 7 — 12 20
III. Total inspections carried out including
re-inspections 23 816 — 1,183 2,022
IV. Number of properties (under II)
found to be infested by:—
{Major* — 1 — — 1
(a) Rats {Minor † — 18 — 16 34
{ Major* — 2 — 10 12
(b) Mice {Minor † 2 41 — 37 80
V. Number of infested properties
(under IV) treated by the Local
Authority 2 62 — 59 123
VI. Number of notices served under
Section 4—
(1) Treatment
(2) Structural works (i.e.
Proofing)
VII. Number of cases in which default
action was taken by Local
Authority following issue of
notice under Section 4
VIII. Legal Proceedings
IX. Number of " block" control
schemes carried out 30 "blocks" surveyed.
* "Major" includes properties with an estimated population exceeding 20 rats or mice.
† "Minor" includes properties with an estimated population not exceeding 20 rats or mice.
During 1959, 204 complaints of rat or mice infestation were received and investigated.