Healthy Dog Importation Act
Healthy Dog Importation Act would add a new, comprehensive framework to regulate the importation of live dogs under the Animal Health Protection Act. Before a dog can be transported into the United States for transfer, the importer must provide electronic documentation showing the dog is healthy, vaccinated, parasite-free, properly identified, and (if transferred) at least 6 months old, plus an import permit. The bill creates a centralized electronic system and requires interagency data sharing, post-arrival checks, and annual reporting. It also establishes penalties, quarantine or return requirements for noncompliant dogs, and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce these rules, with enforcement support from other agencies as needed. The act envisions a transition period during which existing Animal Welfare Act regulations about dog imports continue to apply if not conflicting, and it repeals a provision of the Animal Welfare Act (Section 18) as part of conforming changes.
Key Points
- 1- New import rule: Before any live dog enters the U.S., documentation must prove health status, vaccinations, parasite treatment, negative tests, permanent identification, and, for transfers, age (at least 6 months) and an import permit.
- 2- Exceptions: The Secretary can regulate exemptions for certain transfers (e.g., returning U.S. origin pets, U.S. military working dogs, dogs for research, medically treated dogs with quarantine and export back, and a Hawaii-specific exception for certain young dogs under 6 months exported from select regions).
- 3- Implementation and data system: Within 18 months, the Secretary of Agriculture (with HHS, Commerce, Homeland Security, Transportation) must publish regulations to enable electronic submission, post-arrival checks, denial of entry for violations, and a centralized database with sharing to state veterinarians within 3 days; annual aggregated reporting and possible fees to fund enforcement.
- 4- Enforcement and penalties: The Secretary can enforce under existing authorities; violators face penalties and may be required to cover care, quarantine, removal from the U.S., and return to the country of export at their expense.
- 5- Transition and legal changes: Old Animal Welfare Act dog-import regulations continue during a transition period if not conflicting; final regulations replace aspects of the old framework, and Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act is repealed to align with the new structure.