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Turkey Growing Pellets — satisfactory in respect of its content of protein and fibre but contained
a small excess of oil amounting to 0.40 per cent beyond the prescribed limit.
Complete Horse Cubes - satisfactory in respect of its content of oil and fibre but contained a
small excess of protein which amounted to 0.15 per cent beyond the prescribed limit.
The difference in the limit of variation in all these samples was not to the prejudice of the
purchaser.
Details of the variations and labelling omissions were brought to the attention of the
merchants concerned, who were warned that they must ensure that these products meet the requirements
of the Act and Regulations.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT 1950 & ASSOCIATED ACTS
Mr. G.S. Wiggins, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Officer for the City of London, has submitted the
fol lowing report:-
Under the terms of the London Government Act 1963, the Corporation of London is responsible
for the administration of the Diseases of Animals Act 1951, in respect of the importation of
animals, for the whole of Greater London.
Quarantine Facilities at Heathrow Airport
In 1969 the Port and City of London Health Committee agreed in principle to the setting up
by the Corporation of London of proper facilities for handling imported animals at Heathrow Airport.
The Government Committee of Enquiry into Rabies, in its report, recommended the provision
of such facilities at all airports authorised for the landing of imported animals.
During the year various meetings were held with interested parties to discuSs this matter. In
August your Veterinary Officer visited the Animal Hostel run by the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Kennedy Airport, New York. This hostel was found to be
much smaller than the existing one at Heathrow and is much more a commercial undertaking. The
facilities nowhere approached those of London but much useful information was obtained.
The Rabies (Importation of Mammals) Order 1971, has increased the Corporation's responsibilities
as it covers most species of mammals, and has made the provision of facilities more
important. Plans have been drawn up by the City Architect and it is hoped that specific
recommendations may be made in the near future.
Work carried out under the various Orders concerning imported animals included the following:-
Diseases of Animals Act - Importations
There were many cases of dogs and cats arriving at Heathrow Airport without the necessary
licence of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Numerous visits were made in
connection with these and arrangements were made for 117 dogs and 50 cats to be placed into
quarantine kennels and for 18 dogs, 6 cats and a monkey to be re-exported.
A number of animals arrived dead at the airport and post mortems were carried out. The
animals comprised 17 monkeys, 2 leopard cats, 12 otters, one panda, one civet cat, 7 shrews, 32
parrots, 5 macaques, 2 dogs and one domestic cat. Following the examinations, the carcases
were properly disposed of and reports were submitted to the airlines concerned.
Four incidents occurred of persons being bitten by imported animals. In each case the
person bitten received medical attention and health reports on the animals were obtained after a
period of 1.4 days. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Medical Officer of
Health, Hillingdon, were also informed in each case.
Importation of Dogs and Cats Orders 1928 to 1970
Several letters were addressed to airlines concerning infringements of the above Order at
Heathrow Airport. In January a dog was exercised in the customs hall, permission having been
given by an employee of an airline. Two dogs escaped from their crates in April and it was considered
that the crates were very poorly constructed. Another dog broke its crate and escaped in
July. Also in July, some imported animals were unloaded outside the hostel. In this case a letter
was addressed to the Airline Operators Committee.
Apart from the above, there were two other cases of animals escaping at the airport. On 17th
August, a dog escaped and was free until the 25th August. It was sent to a quarantine kennel and
a health report obtained after 14 days. On 26th August, a cat escaped from the hostel and despite
much effort was not found. Other cases which occurred concerning imported animals were: April
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