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where squirrels drowned in the cold water storage tanks. Shoots were organised in the Council's
woods and open spaces together with certain private land and 1,411 squirrels were killed. Such
shoots invariably produce a number of protests from members of the public who see the squirrel
only as an attractive part of the scenery being unaware of the destructive side of its nature.
22 Complaints were received concerning the presence of foxes. Thirty-three foxes were shot,
14 fox earths gassed and 9 fox cubs removed from under buildings where it was dangerous to gas.
Stray cats
Wild cats breeding on open spaces and communal premises were the subject of four complaints.
The presence of these cats gave rise to a public health nuisance, the complainants being
at a loss to deal with the problem and any amateur attempts at their destruction might well have
caused unnecessary suffering. The approval of the R.S.P.C.A. was sought and eventually obtained
for trapping and destroying stray cats. Two of the society's traps were purchased and any cats
caught are disposed of in the manner approved by them.

The biggest increases were in respect of wasps and fleas (complaints for 1970, respectively,
655 and 23).
Wasps nests are destroyed without charge on domestic premises provided they are accessible
and this increase placed a considerable strain on the resources of the department as it was necessary
to maintain the more important rodent control duties.
The majority of complaints of fleas related to animal fleas and in these cases action was
confined to advising the householder on the preventive measures to be taken.
The alleged presence of lice was found upon investigation to be an infestation of the red
mite of poultry Dermanysous gallinae. This species often gives rise to skin irritation in humans,
especially when they disperse after their host birds have left the nest. In this particular case an
old bird cage was taken to the house and shortly after the aged occupant complained of skin
irritation. The bird cage was removed and clothing and bedding disinfested. This effectively dealt
with the infestation.
PORT SANITARY ADMINISTRATION—LONDON (HEATHROW)
AIRPORT

Five samples were submitted to the Public Analyst and found to be satisfactory.
98