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The fact that it is possible only to summons those owners whose
dogs are on leads while committing a nuisance, lead to a proposal for an
amendment to include dogs not on leads whose owners make no endeavour
to stop them committing nuisance. The Town Clerk and Medical Officer
of Health had an interview at the Home Office on this proposal with the
result that it was not considered practicable to adopt the proposed
amendment in a By-law.
Rat Repression.—Complaints of infestation by rats numbering 44 were
received, and as the result of these complaints some 130 premises were
examined.
Examinations were made in the sewers in 25 instances and each
examination covered the sewers and house drainage connections near the
properties affected. Nineteen defective house drainage outlets to the
sewers were discovered and dealt with. Five defects other than of
private drains were made good.
Five areas were specially treated by gas and otherwise, four by the
Sanitary Authority and one area by the owners. Three large buildings
were also specially treated by the Sanitary Authority.
During "Rat Week" in November, the usual steps were taken to
deal with the menace. A special Circular dealing with the causes of
rat invasion and the means of getting rid of them was distributed.
Large additions were made to the baits usually laid throughout the
year in the sewers and at the Council's house refuse depots and other
places.
The Officers of the Council co-operated in the work with the Officials
of adjoining boroughs during the " Rat Week."
A suggestion by the Medical Officer of Health to arrange for the
training of one of the disinfectors in rat catching was approved by the
Council. It has been the practice to employ a firm for this work, but it is
considered that a properly trained man on the Council's staff will be
more satisfactory.
Nuisance from Pigeons.— Section 52 (1) of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1927. The administration of this section is a duty
of the City Council and details of the arrangements made were given in
the Report of 1928.
Nine complaints were received and trapping took place in three
different areas. The same difficulties were experienced as in former years
owing to the partisan feelings of the community.