APHIS proposes restrictions on dog importation

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The Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is soliciting comments on a proposal to restrict importation of dogs into the United States for purposes of resale, research, or veterinary treatment unless the dogs are in good health, have received all necessary vaccinations, and are at least 6 months old.

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The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 included an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act to restrict importation of live dogs from foreign countries. APHIS is seeking to implement that amendment with this proposal.

The APHIS proposal would require that live dogs imported into the United States for purposes of resale, research, or veterinary treatment be accompanied by an APHIS import permit, a certificate of veterinary inspection, and a rabies vaccination certificate.

The proposal includes some exceptions to the 6-month age requirement and the certificate requirements for dogs coming into the country for veterinary treatment or research purposes.

The APHIS proposal also includes an exception to the 6-month age requirement for dogs imported into Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand, if the dogs are not transported out of Hawaii for resale at younger than six months of age. These areas are all rabies-free.

The deadline for comments is Oct. 31. Parties may view the full proposal and submit comments by visiting www.regulations.gov and searching for "APHIS-2009-0053."