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GENERAL
Diseases of Animals Act 1950
The above Act and Orders made thereunder impose on Local Authorities duties regarding
the control of specific diseases of animals for example foot and mouth disease, fowl pest, swine
fever, etc. Amongst those duties is the routine control of the movement of swine and their
retention for certain periods at premises (except a slaughterhouse) following authorised
movement.
As in previous years functions under this Act can be more efficiently carried out on an
agency basis and for several years now this Council has had a very satisfactory arrangement
with the Corporation of London with whose Veterinary Officer close liaison is maintained.
Slaughter of Animals Act 1958
Any person who slaughters, or stuns prior to slaughter, an animal for food is required
to do so humanely and to hold a licence under the above Act.
It is customary for licences to be issued by the Local Authority in whose area such persons
are employed as slaughtermen as they are best able to determine that the person is a fit and
proper person to be so licensed.
No licences have been issued or renewed by this Council since the private slaughterhouse
at Belvedere ceased business during 1968.
Pet Animals Act 1951
Those persons who keep pet shops or otherwise carry on a business of selling animals as
pets are required to hold a licence. Nineteen annual licences were issued during the year, a
fee of £2 is payable in respect of each licence.
Inspections of premises are carried out from time to time in order to ensure that the
conditions subject to which the licences are issued are being complied with.
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
Premises used for the business of boarding other peoples' animals, usually dogs and cats,
are required to be inspected and annually licenced. Where the boarding is incidental to another
business, for example an overnight stay at a Veterinary Surgeon's establishment, no licence is
required.
Three premises were licensed and appropriate conditions attached to the licences. One small
premise which had been used for the boarding of cats for many years ceased to operate on
being sold for redevelopment.
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