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84
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949 ~ SECTION 4
Treatment for Rodent Infestation in Default
The following case, which is unusual and probably unique, merits special
mention:—
During the course of an investigation into rodent infestation on neighbouring
lands, which gave all the signs of a surface infestation, the trail led to a large
lock-up warehouse where all kinds of general foods and merchandise were stored
by the owner.
Upon preliminary inspection a quantity of various kinds of foodstuffs was
found deposited on the premises, and after inspection by the public health Inspector
approximately 10 cwts were seized and taken before a Justice of the Peace who
condemned the food and ordered it to be destroyed. The owner had claimed before
the Justice of the Peace that:—
(a) the foodstuffs were not intended for sale for human consumption but were
for
(i) personal consumption
(ii) shipment to British Honduras for mixture with warfarin as a rat bait.
(b) that the food was bought by him on the written undertaking that it was not
to be sold for human consumption.
Unfortunately, this undertaking could not be produced.
Further investigation of the rodent infestation which had been confirmed,
revealed further quantities of food lying beneath merchandise of all kinds. The
owner proved unco-operative and it was necessary to obtain a warrant to enforce
entry. This time 19 cwts of foodstuffs were seized and again dealt with by a
Justice of the Peace.
It became increasingly obvious as the investigation proceeded that the rodent
infestation could not possibly be dealt with whilst the premises remained in such a
hopelessly desordered condition. In addition there was a real health danger to
children who gained entry to the premises from an adjoining site.
On expiry of a notice served under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage by
Pests Act, 1949 works in default were put into operation. They were carried out
by the public health inspectors and a labour team provided by the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor. The premises were systematically cleared of all useless material
which formed an ideal environment for rats. Further quantities of food, a total of
2 tons, 10 cwts, 3 qrs were seized and dealt with by a Justice of the Peace. Other
material, no less than 91 tons, was removed from the premises and disposed of.
In addition, a large quantity of marketable merchandise was removed by a dealer
upon agreement with the owner, and public health inspector.