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With a large rural area within the borough it is to be expected that complaints
will be received concerning a variety of wild life. From time to time complaints are
made to the Department concerning squirrels, rabbits, moles and pigeons. It is our
policy to help wherever possible either in a practical way or by advice and, if
necessary, by the loan of equipment.
The pigeon has now become a serious nuisance and the amount of damage to
growing crops and buildings is considerable. The ferral pigeon, and in some cases the
wood pigeon, have adapted themselves to urban life and their numbers continue to
rise. Many people consider them attractive and encourage their presence by feeding
them. In some cases there is active opposition to attempts to reduce their numbers.
Twenty-eight treatments were carried out on twenty-two occasions under
Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961, which empowers a local authority to take
steps for the purpose of abating or mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage
caused by the congregation in any built-up area of house doves, pigeons, starlings or
sparrows.
Four of these treatments were carried out where large congregations of pigeons
had accumulated under the arches of bridges. Nets were draped over the parapets of
the bridges and the birds picked off. In this way approximately 250-300 birds were
destroyed humanely.
Garden pests continue to be a common cause of complaint by householders, and
416 wasps' nests together with 46 bees' nests were destroyed and 321 other insect
infestations were treated.
Although their control is the responsibility of the householder, it is appreciated
that some people are nervous of stinging insects and that others may have difficulty,
because of age or infirmity, in destroying these pests.
No charge is made by the Council for any of these services.
ANIMAL CARE
The Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, deals, inter alia, with the enforcement of
general Orders relating to the movement of animals; the cleansing and disinfection
of places and vehicles occupied by animals; the protection of animals from suffering
during transit; the importation, exportation and quarantine of animals; the keeping
of records by owners and others relating to animals and poultry; and during outbreaks
of specified diseases, the enforcement of special Orders relating to the control of the
movement of animals and disinfection of places, vehicles and articles, etc.
The Special Committee of Inquiry on Foot and Mouth Disease which was set up
as a result of the widespread outbreak of the disease in 1967/68, reported, and some
of its recommendations have been implemented by the Minister of Agriculture.
Fisheries and Food. Close liaison has been maintained between representatives of
the Ministry and local authorities, useful information has been disseminated, and
arrangements made for co-ordinated action in any future outbreak.
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