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28
cleanliness; adequate supplies of food and drinking water; prevention
of sale at too early an age; precautions to prevent the spread of
infectious diseases amongst the animals and precautions to be taken
in case of fire or other emergency.
No person may now keep a pet shop unless he obtains a licence
from the Local Authority, and it is an offence to sell animals as pets
in any part of a street or public place, except at a stall or barrow in
a market, or to sell pets to children under 12 years of age.
In the Act, "animals" is defined as including any description of
vertebrate and as such includes goldfish and cage birds, which are
the principal sales in the shops licensed in the Borough.
Six premises hold licences from the Richmond Borough Council
to carry on this business.
Regular inspection of the premises is carried out, and a close
liaison maintained with the Local representative of the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Licences are renewable annually and an inspection is made before
renewals are brought before the Council.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT 1950.
The number of outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease reported
throughout England and Wales was not unduly serious in 1956.
Richmond was not directly involved in any outbreak and was not
affected by Infected Area Restrictions on any occasion.
These restrictions control the movement of animals except for
special purposes and in this connection no licences were issued or
countersigned.
PETROLEUM (CONSOLIDATION) ACT 1928 AND
REGULATIONS MADE THEREUNDER.
Fiftyseven premises within the Borough are licensed to store a
total of 62,370 gallons of Petrol, Petroleum Mixtures and Cellulose
solutions.
They have received regular inspection to ensure that the various
regulations have been observed. In all a total of 163 visits was made
to the various installations.
Four new licences were approved, three licences were not renewed,
and the total licence fees amounted to £37 5s. Od.
Only minor infringements of the Regulations were found.