Fourteen U.S. Senators say that new border regulations for dogs scheduled to take effect Aug. 1, are flawed and would have unintended, detrimental consequences, according to a letter they wrote to the director of the Centers for Disease Control.
The effort to stop the regulations from going into effect in two weeks, led by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, pointed out that the final rule differs significantly from the proposed rule and there was no opportunity for a second comment period on the changes.
The senators said that constituents in their states are concerned about the burdensome effects of this rule and they are asking the CDC to allow time for those affected by the changes to comment and for the rule to be adjusted accordingly.
“We request that the CDC grant an extension of the August 1, 2024, effective date until a regulation can be drafted that both appropriately protects public health and allows the importation of dogs from Canada and other low-risk countries,” the senators said in the letter, which they signed.
The proposed rule included a limited exception to accommodate personal pet owners who travel by land between countries that are currently free of rabies and unlikely to threaten the public’s health such as Canada or Mexico, the letter states.
The more stringent final regulations were established to prevent the spread of rabies and more closely align with World Health Organization’s standards for dogs, according to the CDC. Additionally, they address concerns about dogs coming into the United States from high rabies risk countries and fraudulent documentation.
In short, all dogs entering the United States must appear healthy upon arrival; be at least six months old; be International Standards Organization-compatible microchipped; be vaccinated for rabies; and be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.
The final rule is overly broad and would be onerous for dog owners, breeders, truckers, and sportsmen and women who frequently cross the U.S.-Canadian border for work, veterinary care, canine events, breeder collaborations, or simply to visit friends and family, according to the senators.
“The unprecedented requirements included in the final rule, such as the six-month minimum age requirement for dogs to enter the United States and the need for a microchip before a rabies vaccination and additional documentation and certification, would create significant barriers to low-risk entry from Canada into the United States and have a disproportionate effect on border communities in our states,” the letter said.
Additionally, referring to the new rules as dog importation regulations will be misunderstood by the general public and the lack of clarity means that many travelers who regularly cross the border with their animals, including cross-border commuters, did not understand that the rule would affect their activities, and therefore did not weigh in with their comments, the senators said.
The senators detailed the extent of the impact on the economies of communities located at the international border between Canada and the United States.
The new requirements for entry could affect participation in significant events held in the U.S. such as major sledding competitions like the Can-Am race in Fort Kent, that contribute to the regional economies, the letter said.
The Canadian Truck Association also formally expressed concerns about potential impacts on truck drivers who travel with their dogs while carrying goods into the U.S., the senators said.
“Prior to this rulemaking, the CDC’s importation policy appropriately focused on high-risk
countries for dog rabies and aimed to avoid unnecessary burdens on dog owners and importers of dogs from countries not considered high risk. Instead of maintaining this distinction, the final
rule applies restrictions to all dogs,” the senators said.
Senators who signed the CDC letter include Collins, MN Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Idaho Sen. James E. Risch, NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, ND Sen. Kevin Cramer, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, Maine Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, MN Sen. Tina Smith, NY Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Montana Sen. Jon Tester, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and ND Sen. John Hoeven.
