[ SHOWGSD-L ] Proposed Law on Imports
- From: Ken Tank <tanksr@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: showgsd gsd <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 07:38:30 -0700
See below. This sounds like just another money maker for the government
right out of our pockets. Not sure about the NAIA now.
*A Proposed Amendment to the Animal Welfare Act: Dog Importation*
*
*
*Dear Ken,*
*
*
NAIA has long been concerned by the dangerous practice of importing dogs
into the United States from countries that lack proper veterinary standards,
and we have worked to raise public awareness of this issue while encouraging
appropriate regulations for dealing with
it<http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/proposedrulemaking-final4.pdf>.
As you can imagine, neglecting to properly vet an incoming dog greatly
increases the risk of transmitting parasites and diseases to the native
population (including
rabies<http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs099/en/index.html>),
and can lead to tragic consequences for the
dogs<http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?073+article+News+2010092908020073073004>
themselves.
Bypassing regulatory safeguards is a cruel and irresponsible practice.
Thankfully, outreach and education on this issue is beginning to pay off. In
response to the 2007 farm bill (an act that NAIA contributed to),
APHIS<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/> has
proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Act regarding the importation of
dogs. These changes will improve the health and well-being of dogs involved
in this underregulated practice, while reducing the risk of harmful
infections and zoonotic diseases to U.S. citizens and their pets. Here are
some of the highlights:
- More stringent health certificate and rabies vaccination requirements.
Certificates must be written in English by a licensed veterinarian.
- Better identification and tracking. Persons involved in importing the
dog must identify themselves (name, address, etc.); dogs must be identified
as well (breed, sex, age, color, markings, etc.).
- Persons importing dogs must present their permit at the first port of
arrival, in order to ensure that the dog(s) are eligible for importation.
- Penalizes those who try to import dogs without proper certification:
dogs may be seized, and the person trying to import the dog is liable for
the cost of the dog?s care (which can include expensive veterinary
procedures).
Please note that these rules do not *prohibit* people from bringing foreign
dogs into the United States, nor do they arbitrarily punish or single
individuals out for undue hardship. These rules merely put common sense
safeguards in place in order to better ensure the health of imported animals
and the communities they will be living in.
Issues like this may not be the most glamorous or dramatic; it is unlikely
we will ever hear SarahMcLachlan sing about the cruelty of puppy
smuggling<http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2006/jun_jul/other/puppies.xml>.
But these proposed rules are positive, reasonable changes that are necessary
to address one of today's important animal welfare and public health
concerns. APHIS is taking comments on these proposed rules until October
31st, 2011. Comments can be made here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!
documentDetail;D=APHIS-2009-0053-0001. It is imperative that you take this
opportunity to let your elected officials know how serious this issue is.
In the coming days, NAIA will be providing more information on these
proposed rules as well as the issue of dog importation. In the meanwhile, if
you've got strong eyes and a fair amount of patience, check out the
current Federal
Register <http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html> for a full description
(starting on page 54392). Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
[image: Patti Strand Signature]
Patti Strand, NAIA National Director
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