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55
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT
No case of contagious animal disease was reported within the Borough
during the year. In such cases action is taken in conjunction with officers
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to provide against the
spread of the disease. Regular visits are made by district inspectors to
premises where animals are kept to ensure that precautionary measures and
a high standard of cleanliness are maintained.
The recent cases of rabies among animals imported from abroad has
given rise to amended legislation and increased vigilance against this
disease and appropriate action was taken when a local veterinary surgeon
reported a suspected case of rabies in a young dog. Subsequent laboratory
examinations fortunately revealed that the animal had suffered from a less
serious and non-infectious illness.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
This Act is mainly concerned with the destruction of rats and mice and
places a duty upon the occupier of any premises to report to the Local
Authority any infestation by such rodents. Three rodent operatives are employed
full time to deal with complaints.
During the year 3,673 premises were inspected following complaint and
in 3,222 instances infestation was confirmed and dealt with by the rodent
operatives. In addition, 30 premises were inspected for reasons other than
complaint. Regular inspections are made of premises where food is prepared
or sold and particular attention is given to methods of prevention of rodent
infestation. Corporation owned premises, including sewage works, depots,
school kitchens and serveries etc. are periodically inspected for the
presence of rodents and appropriate action taken if the premises are infested.
Recent evidence indicates that there is no heavy rat infestation of the
Corporation's foul water sewers and, during the year, 202 manholes were
test baited. Further treatments are planned to cover the whole Borough and
treatment has also been carried out in two areas where sewer infestations
were suspected.
FOOD SUPPLY
The supervision and inspection of food supplies is carried out by the
Public Health Inspectors who are all qualified in food inspection.
Of the premises in the Borough where food is stored, manufactured or
sold, 1,339 are registered under Section 16 of the Food and Drugs Act, as
follows:—