A move by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that puts the brakes on the importation of dogs from 113 countries deemed at high risk for rabies — a move aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly virus in this country — is a necessary measure but one that cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely.
The import ban could have a wide-ranging impact, from barring soldiers who want to bring home rescue dogs to stopping U.S. breeders from importing dogs. Americans typically import about 1 million dogs annually.
The suspension applies to all dogs, whether they are puppies, emotional support dogs or dogs that had traveled out of the U.S. and that were intended for return, according to the CDC. In sum, if the dog was in a country deemed at high risk for rabies, the dog will be barred from entry to the United States (with rare exception). The new rule is effective July 14. The countries include Kenya, Brazil, Peru, Afghanistan, Russia and China.
The action by the CDC is an answer, in part, to a steep increase in fraudulent rabies vaccination certificates. During 2020, the CDC discovered more than 450 dogs arriving in the U.S. with falsified or fraudulent rabies certificates, which was a 52% increase compared with the previous two years.
The CDC has taken a step that had to be taken, given recent incidents of infected dogs being brought into the U.S. The fact is rabies is a deadly virus to both dogs and people. The World Health Organization estimates (and notes the estimates are lowballed) that rabies kills some 59,000 people annually and 99% of the cases are from dog bites.
In the U.S., rabies is said to have been eliminated in dogs in 2007, though unvaccinated dogs bitten by rabid wildlife such as bats and raccoons can still contract rabies. Pet dogs are routinely vaccinated against rabies.
The CDC pledged to review the order “periodically,” calling the import suspension “temporary.” It is expected the ban will remain in effect at least a year.
A statement to National Public Radio (NPR) from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) International should help to focus attention on important considerations: “While we understand the need to keep animals in the U.S. safe, we are concerned that this move will penalize responsible pet owners who adopt rescued animals from other countries. It will also cause a large number of otherwise healthy animals living abroad to be surrendered and potentially euthanized if they can’t travel to the U.S. to their adoptive owners.”
Animal lovers should partner with advocate agencies for animals, which could, in turn, act as a network for identifying gaps in the U.S. quarantine system.
The CDC edict, while necessary to protect people and animals, will mean heartache for those engaged in worthy dog rescue missions. This situation turns a spotlight on a lack of adequate facilities in the U.S. for quarantining dogs safely — a situation that can be resolved with some will and some effort.