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RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION
The prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, places upon the
occupiers or, in certain circumstances, the owners, of land
(including buildings) the responsibility for the destruction of
rats and mice thereon and for keeping the land free from such pests
It is the duty of the Council to carry out inspections to see
that this is done, and to secure so far as practicable that their
district is kept free from rats and mice. Where necessary they may
serve upon the owners or occupiers notices requiring them to take
steps for this purpose and penalties are laid down for failure to
comply with such notices.
The policy of the Council is, however, to give such
assistance as is possible to the occupiers of private dwelling
houses. For that purpose they permit their own small rodent
control staff to give advice and practical help where appropriate,
without charge, subject to the signing of the "Request for
Treatment" form.
The Council is under no legal obligation to do this and does
not undertake to provide a service for the destruction of vermin,
but allows its staff to help as far as time permits.
The Council is, however, responsible for its own property,
including sewers, and the following tables show the extent of the
work carried out during the year.
42
Forty-eight schools, business and industrial premises were
treated by the Council's staff on payment of the cost involved
by the occupiers or owners concerned.