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100
Illegal Landing of Dogs and Cats.
The following is an extract from a Circular letter received from the
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in respect of the illegal landing of dogs
and cats:
"Every year a number of dogs and cats are landed in Great Britain in
contravention of the Importation of Dogs and Cats Order of 1928; there were
72 illegal landings in 1954. This Order, which is designed to prevent the
introduction of rabies, prohibits the landing of dogs and cats unless a licence
of the Minister has previously been obtained. The licensing procedure is
intended to ensure that all imported dogs and cats are detained in quarantine
for the six-months period prescribed by the Order.
"It is evident that some of the people who attempt to land dogs and cats
without having obtained a licence do so with the deliberate intention of evading
the quarantine restrictions. Occasionally the attempt succeeds and the animal
either does not enter quarantine at all (although this is thought to be infrequent)
or when subsequently detected goes into quarantine after having been at large
for some time.
"Although there has recently been a serious increase in the incidence of
rabies on the Continent of Europe it is so long since there has been an outbreak
in this country (1922) that the offenders may not realise how disastrous it would
be if the disease were reintroduced here. It is invariably fatal in dogs and cats ;
when transmitted from these animals to man it is known as hydrophobia and
can result in one of the most dreadful forms of death to which the human race
is liable. The value of the quarantine regulations is demonstrated by the fact
that in the last thirty years no less than twenty-two imported dogs have developed
rabies whilst in quarantine kennels. Any one of these cases could, but for the
quarantine regulations, have caused a serious outbreak of the disease with great
suffering and loss of life.
"Local authorities are asked to take proceedings and prosecute with the
utmost vigour in all cases in which the Order is deliberately contravened. It is
suggested that at the hearing of a case the tragic consequences of an outbreak
of rabies in this country should be emphasised ; it should also be stressed that
it is only because of the stringent regulations that the country continues to
enjoy the benefits of remaining completely free from the disease."
SECTION 3.—ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION
Smoke Abatement.
Inspections by Sanitary Inspectors.
Some 87 observations were made of the quantities of smoke emitted
from chimneys of industrial and commercial premises. Letters were sent
to the management of a number of business undertakings regarding excessive
smoke and grit emission, but no statutory nuisance was established within the
terms of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Investigation carried out in conjunction with the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research.
Investigation.
A description of the procedure adopted for the systematic measurement
of the concentration of atmospheric smoke and sulphur dioxide was given
in my Report for 1950. Daily observations, which were begun in March
1950, have continued throughout 1954.
The investigation is carried out in full co¬operation with the Fuel
Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
A summary of the observations is included in the monthly "Atmospheric
Pollution Bulletin "published by the Department. The recording apparatus
is situated at the Public Health Department, Sidmouth Road, E.10.