Imported sniffer dogs certified disease-free

The Editor, Sir:

The Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association notes that there have been questions raised in the media regarding the presence in the island of specially-trained cadaver-sniffing dogs from the United States. It has been alleged that this is in violation of our laws, which prohibit the importation of dogs from that country and reflects a double standard.

The law that governs the importation of dogs and other animal into Jamaica is The Animal Diseases and Importation Act. This law has served to protect the animals and people of Jamaica from the introduction of diseases exotic to the island. If some of these diseases are introduced, there could be serious consequences to our human and animal populations. One such disease is rabies and Jamaica is justifiably proud of its disease-free status.

However, we do recognise that there is a provision in the current law that allows for such specialised entry under certain conditions at the discretion of the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Specially trained

We understand that the importation of the cadaver-sniffing dogs from the USA was done by the police on such a special permit. These dogs are specially trained and handled. They have been certified as being free of any transmissible disease and would have had to be vaccinated against rabies with an established protective titre to this disease.

We are fully confident that our colleagues in the Veterinary Services Division have acted with due diligence to ensure that they provide no risk to the introduction of rabies or any other exotic disease into Jamaica and that they have required specific restrictions on their housing and movements while they are here.

The JVMA has long recognised that changes to our dog-importation regulations are necessary and has actively lobbied for a review of existing legislation. Our position is based on the recognition that with the current technology that exists, with regards to the efficacy and safety of rabies vaccines and the ability to uniquely identify animals using microchip technology, dogs can safely be imported into Jamaica from countries other than the United Kingdom, once certain conditions are met.

It has been a long uphill battle but the review of the legislation has taken place. We have recently participated in a special committee appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on the Movement of Companion Animals and our recommendations have been submitted. Although we have not achieved the final success yet, we are very close to our goal. We intend to remain involved until the changes to the regulations are enacted. We expect this to happen in the very near future.

These changes will be of benefit to those who wish to travel with their pets to and from Jamaica, those who wish to import dogs and cats, the tourist industry and, above all, public health, in that the disease threat posed by the illegal importation dogs should be reduced.

I am, etc.,

Dr SARAH WILKINSON-EYTLE

President

The Jamaica Veterinary

Medical Association