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were inspected, and scrapings taken for microscopic examination, weekly
inspections were made until the animal had recovered or was destroyed.
There are now only a few horses in the Borough and this condition is
rarely found.
Prior to the war and particularly during an outbreak of foot and mouth
disease a considerable number of licences were issued for animals coming
into the Borough for slaughtering. These were mainly sheep, cattle and
pigs, and were all inspected upon arrival and before slaughter. Store pigs
coming into this area under licence had to remain at the place of destination
for twenty-eight days. This would apply equally to-day.
Since the coming of the Live Stock (Restriction of Slaughter) Order,
1940, slaughtering has been restricted and now few licences are issued
for animals coming into the Borough.
Rabies is fortunately a disease which has been stamped out. Nowadays
it occurs in England only in the Quarantine Kennels where dogs brought
into the country have to spend six months. As far as I can ascertain,
Hornsey has not had a confirmed case, and the last suspected case reported
in Hornsey was in March 1921. This was a sable and white collie in
Inderwick Road; it proved to be negative.
"Newcastle" disease or fowl pest came into this country in 1926 or
1927; it is a notifiable disease under the Fowl Pest Order of 1936. There
were several cases reported in the Borough which were inspected and
reported to the Ministry of Agriculture, these were mainly among
"backyard" poultry and were during the war years and very soon after.
In 1939, the Riding Establishment Act came into force and in consequence
all riding establishments in the Borough are inspected twice a
year, and reports made on the condition of the horses and ponies.
In 1952, the Pet Animals Act, 1951, will come into operation on
1st April, after which date no person will be allowed to keep a pet shop
except under the authority of a licence issued by the Borough Council.
These premises will be inspected and reported upon as a routine on two
occasions each year and forthwith on receipt of evidence of contravention
of the conditions under which the licences are issued.
It is, perhaps, not well known that persons taking pet animals abroad
must obtain a veterinary certificate stating that the animal is fit and not
in an infectious state and has not been in an "infected area" (i.e. where
the existence of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed) for a period
which varies according to the country to which it is being sent. Each
year approximately twelve certificates are issued in respect of dogs and
cats and sometimes racing pigeons and occasionally even budgerigars.
Mechanisation of the Council's transport has meant the loss of the
May Day Parade when the horses and carts were decorated, and prizes
presented by the Mayor to the drivers of the most attractive and best
cared for horses and vehicles, taking into consideration the age of the
horses and the length of time the driver had looked after the animal.
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