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65
Fouling of Footways by Dogs.—The temporary by-law made by the
Council to which reference was made in the previous report came into
force in March, 1928. Up to June, 1929, five offences against the by-law
had been reported to the Council by the Police. Prosecutions were
ordered in four cases, in three of which the defendants were fined 10s.,
5s., and 5s. respectively; in the remaining case the payment of 2s. costs
was ordered.
Complaints have been made from time to time that the streets in
certain parts of the City were particularly subject to this nuisance and
it has been suggested that the Council has not been sufficiently energetic
in administering the by-law. It should, however, be pointed out that
folding of the footway is an offence only if the dog is on a lead, and that
doubtless nuisances are caused mostly by dogs which are allowed to run
loose. The by-law has been brought to the notice of all ratepayers, a
copy being enclosed with rate demands, and copies have been posted on
lamp posts, sand bins and elsewhere in prominent positions, so that no
doubt the majority of residents are aware of its existence. There has
been a marked improvement in the condition of the streets in the City
since the by-law came into force, and steps should be taken to secure
its continuance from the date of expiry of the temporary period of two
years during which it has effect.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928.—There are no premises in the City
which come within the provisions of these Acts.
Nuisance from Pigeons.—The London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1927, gave powers to metropolitan sanitary authorities to adopt
measures for dealing with this nuisance. The appropriate section
No. 52 (1), is as follows:—
" For the purpose of abating or mitigating any nuisance annoyance or damage
caused by the congregation at any place in the county of house doves or pigeons
having or believed by the local authority to have no owner or of preventing or
minimising any such nuisance annoyance or damage which might in the opinion
of the local authority bo so caused the local authority may notwithstanding anything
in the Larceny Act 1861 or in any other Act seize and destroy or sell or otherwise
dispose of or cause to be seized and destroyed or sold or otherw ise disposed of
any such house doves or pigeons in excess of such number as the local authority
may consider reasonable and take such other steps as they may deem necessary
for any such purpose. Provided that a local authority shall not in the exercise of
the powers conferred by this section—
(a) enter upon any building or and (other than a public highway) without the
consent of the occupier or the authority body or person having the
exclusive control and management of such building or land ; or