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27
Protection of Animals
The agency arrangements made in 1965 with the City of London
Corporation, under which the Corporation undertook this Council's
responsibilities for its functions under the various animal
diseases and protection Acts, were reviewed in the early part of
the year at the request of the City of London Corporation. The
earlier arrangement provided for the payment of a basic annual
fee plus additional charges, on an hourly basis, for individual
case work.
As a consequence of this review, agreement was reached with
the City Corporation that the service be continued on the basis
of an annual lump sum.
The four main Acts under which action was taken during the
year are as follows :—
Pet Animals Act, 1951.—A pet shop may not be kept except under
the authority of a licence granted in accordance with the provisions
of the Act, the object of which is to regulate the sale of pet
animals, with particular reference to their welfare whilst kept for
sale. Thirty licences were issued by the Council during 1966.
Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963.—This Act provides
that no person may keep a boarding establishment for animals
(defined as cats or dogs) in the Borough except under licence.
Three such licences were granted during the year.
Riding Establishments Act, 1964.—This Act provides for the licensing
and inspection of any establishment at which a business of
keeping horses for hire, for riding or for providing riding instruction
is carried on. Licences in respect of three riding establishments
were granted.
Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925.—One licence was
granted during the year.
Common Lodging Houses
There are no registered common lodging houses in the Borough.
Land Charges Act, 1925
During the year the Department dealt with 4,994 enquiries
relating to local land charges. These enquiries necessitate a careful
search of records, drainage plans, etc., to ascertain the existence
of any orders or restrictions on the properties concerned such as
outstanding statutory or informal notices, certificates of disrepair
under the Rent Acts, inclusion in housing building programmes,
slum clearance areas, etc.