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One of the outstanding effects of the better standard of
housing and hygiene enjoyed by most people today is the notable
decrease in the infestations of bed-bugs and house fleas. Prior
to the war these were common to the majority of working class
houses, and created full time work for disinfestation teams, but
today they are relatively rare.
Assistance and advice is given in all cases of infestation, some
treatments are carried out by the Rodent Operatives, but in severe
cases the persons concerned are advised to obtain the services of
specialist firms.
Where necessary the destruction of clothing and bedding is
undertaken by the Council upon the receipt of a written request
from the owner.
(ix) Pet Animals Act, 1951
Under this Act a person who desires to sell pets, of any
description, by retail, must be licensed by the local authority.
These licences are renewable annually and conditions are attached
to the licence, in order to regulate the manner in which the
animals are kept and exposed for sale.
At present there are 14 persons licensed in the borough to
keep Pet Shops, five of these are in respect of stalls in the Market
Place. Pets on these stalls are restricted to puppies, goldfish and
tortoises.
Frequent inspections of all Pet Shops are made to ensure that
the conditions of the licences are complied with.
3. INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
The inspection, sampling and supervision of foods in all its
phases, from the producer to the consumer, forms a very important
part of the duties of the health inspectorate in the protection of
the health of the public.
Various infectious diseases can be transmitted by foodstuffs.
Food poisoning and other intestinal illnesses can be caused by the
ingestion of foods that are either contaminated, are out of condition
or badly processed.
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