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Two new Orders, affecting the importation of animals, came into operation during the year.
The Exotic Animals (Importation) Order 1969 imposes a general prohibition on the importation of
such animals which are prescribed in the Order and requires any such animals brought to Great
Britain in contravention of the Order (with exceptions) to be slaughtered. The Importation of Dogs
and Cats (Amendment) Order 1969 extends the quarantine period for imported dogs and cats from
six to eight months.
Some difficulty has been experienced with regard to the holding of imported animals which
are awaiting transport to quarantine or in transit at the airport and, in view of this and the fact
that restrictions have now been extended to exotic animals, the Port and City of London Health
Committee agreed in principle to the Corporation setting up proper facilities for handling these
animals.
Diseases of Animals Act — Importations
Numerous cases occurred of dogs and cats arriving at Heathrow Airport without the necessary
import licence of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Arrangements were made for
107 dogs and 47 cats to be placed into quarantine kennels.
There were two instances of animals arriving dead at the airport. Post mortem examinations
were carried out and reports submitted to the airlines concerned. The animals were two Himalayan
bear cubs and a pekingese dog and the causes of death were due to heart failure which in the
case of the bears followed the development of pneumonia and in the case of the dog may have
been predisposed by being contained for a long period or by thrombus formation on the heart
valves. The airline which carried the dog was also informed that the container in which the
animal had travelled was of a very poor construction.
In November an assistant at the R.S.P.C.A. Animal Hostel, Heathrow, was bitten by a dog
which was in transit. The assistant received hospital treatment and the animal was detained for
ten days, following which, having remained healthy, it was allowed to continue its journey.
A visit was made to West India Dock in June, concerning the importation of ten cheetahs
which were destined for various zoos in this country. The animals were all very fit and the cages
well constructed.
Importation of Dogs and Cats Order 1928
In February it was reported that a dog had been imported in contravention of the above Order
and was being kept at an address in Chelsea. A similar case occurred in July when information
was received that a cat had been illegally imported from Hong Kong. In both instances extensive
enquiries were made, in the latter case the assistance of the Veterinary Authorities and Police
in Manchester being enlisted, but despite this, due to lack of evidence it was decided that no
action could be taken in either case.
Two cases occurred of dogs escaping from their containers whilst in transit at Heathrow
Airport. In the first case, which occurred in May, the dog was free for two days and was therefore
placed into a quarantine ktnnel for ten days. The second dog was re-captured after ten minutes
and allowed to continue its journey on condition that a health report be furnished after ten days.
Enquiries were carried out in several cases, concerning the alleged illegal importation of
animals at the Port of Dover. In May it was reported that a dog had been illegally landed and
brought to London. The animal was traced and arrangements made for it to be placed into quarantine.
In December it was reported that the owner of a dog, having previously stated that she threw
the animal overboard as the vessel on which she was travelling entered Dover, altered her story
and admitted having brought the dog into the country. The animal had since been brought to
London. Also in December, enquiries were carried out concerning a dog which was discovered
in a parked vehicle in Adeline Place, W.C.1., and was suspected of being illegally imported at
Dover. In each of these cases reports were sent to the authorities in Dover.
There were two cases in September of dogs escaping or running loose from vessels in the
Port of London. In the first instance a dog escaped from the m.v. 'Gerda Smits', berthed at Poplar
Dock. It was re-captured and returned to the vessel, but from enquiries it transpired that the
animal had been taken ashore on previous occasions and it was, therefore, decided that proceedings
should be instituted. The second case concerned a dog which was allowed to run loose
from the m.v. 'Vava' at West India Dock. Cautionary letters were addressed to the Master and
Agents for the vessel.
A yacht which had been berthed at Tower Pier with several dogs on board during 1968,
returned this year and was visited in September. The dogs, as before, were kept on a lower deck
from which there was no possibility of escape; they were in good condition.
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