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Slaughter of Animals Act.
Sections 1 and 2, as they apply to West Ham, require that
no animal trilled in a slaughter-house or knackers'-yard in the
Borough shall be slaughtered or stunned except by means of a
mechanically operated instrument. Infringements observed have
been dealt with verbally or by warning letters. Generally, however,
this requirement appears to have been carried out satisfactorily.
An electric stunner was installed at my suggestion at one
slaughter-house where large numbers of pigs are slaughtered.
It has worked satisfactorily on pigs of all weights, including sows
and boars, and I have not heard any complaints of " splashing,"
as was frequently the case when a captive bolt pistol was used.
Section 3 provides that "no animal shall be slaughtered or
stunned in a slaughter-house or knackers'-yard by any person
who is not the holder of a licence granted by a local authority and
in force under this section." The Council, in December, 1935,
renewed fifty-one licences under this section, to be in force for
one year from the 1st January, 1936. A further six licences were
renewed during the year, and three new applicants were also
granted licences in 1936. It was not found necessary to recommend
the suspension or revocation of any of these licences.
Slaughter-House Byelaws.
Ten applications for the renewal of slaughter-house licences
were received and granted by the Council in respect of the year
1936/37. There are also eight "Registered" slaughter-houses
in the Borough. These premises have been kept in a reasonably
clean condition, although on many occasions it was necessary to
insist upon the more frequent removal of garbage material.
Knackers'-Yard Bye-Laws.
The Council received and granted, in respect of the year
1936/37, one application for the renewal of a knackers'-yard
licence. The condition of this knackers'-yard has been satisfactory.
There are also two "Registered" knackers'-yards in the
Borough, one of which was not used, while the other was in use
frequently and was kept in a cleanly state.
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