{"id":23392,"date":"2023-03-13T20:34:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T20:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=23392"},"modified":"2023-03-13T20:34:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T20:34:15","slug":"dog-importation-act-031323","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/dog-importation-act-031323\/","title":{"rendered":"Veterinary Groups Back Dog Importation Act"},"content":{"rendered":"

The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and several state VMAs are among dozens of organizations voicing support for the Healthy Dog Importation Act.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrengthening our animal health infrastructure by improving the country\u2019s dog importation standards is essential to maintaining public health,\u201d said AVMA President Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1 million dogs are imported<\/a> into the United States annually, with more than 90% entering with minimum oversight.<\/p>\n

The legislation, which has bipartisan support, was reintroduced by Sens. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Chuck Grassley of Iowa and representatives Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Annie Kuster of New Hampshire.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuman and animal health are inextricably linked,\u201d Sen. Smith said. \u201cMitigating the spread of foreign diseases in dogs helps keep domestic and wild animals healthy and can also help prevent illnesses and disease outbreaks in people.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a letter to Sens. Grassley and Smith, supporters said, \u201cIn the absence of proper health requirements, imported dogs have been responsible for the introduction and transmission of diseases and pests into the U.S., including rabies, canine influenza, leptospirosis<\/em><\/a>, melioidosis<\/em>, onchocercosis<\/em> and screwworm. There is also growing concern that imported dogs will transfer a foreign animal disease that will devastate the U.S. livestock industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Healthy Dog Importation Act imposes requirements on the importation of live dogs entering the country. Specific conditions include:<\/p>\n