Healthy Dog Importation Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the Healthy Dog Importation Act, amends the Animal Health Protection Act to establish stricter requirements for importing live dogs into the United States. It mandates electronic documentation demonstrating the dog’s health, vaccinations, and identification, along with a certificate from a licensed veterinarian. The bill also creates exceptions for certain transfers, military dogs, research, and veterinary treatment, and establishes a process for the Secretary to develop and enforce regulations to implement the new requirements. Finally, it repeals a section of the Animal Welfare Act related to dog importation.
Key provisions
- Requires electronic documentation of a dog’s health, vaccinations, and identification before import.
- Mandates a certificate from a licensed veterinarian accredited by a competent veterinary authority.
- Establishes exceptions for personal pet returns, military working dogs, research, veterinary treatment, and importation to Hawaii.
- Requires dogs under 6 months old to be accompanied by an import permit.
- Creates a transition period where existing Animal Welfare Act regulations continue until new regulations are finalized.
- Directs the Secretary to develop and enforce regulations related to documentation, post-arrival verification, and denial of entry.
- Requires importers and transporters to submit copies of veterinary inspection certificates to the Secretary.
- Authorizes the Secretary to enforce the act and imposes penalties for non-compliance.
Who is affected
Bill text
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Sponsors
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12 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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