Ban on dogs coming into Canada due to rabies concerns sparks debate
Some animal rescue groups fear countless dogs will die of starvation or be killed if they are not allowed entry into Canada as a result of a recently announced policy.
This week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced that starting on Sept. 28 – which is also World Rabies day -- it will be blocking commercial dogs from entering the country. A commercial dog is defined as one for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research and other purposes.
The agency listed more than 100 countries which have been deemed high risk of canine rabies.
Vancouver resident Jenni Baynham and her sister, a pilot living in Qatar, founded Fur Bae Dog Rescue four years ago. They help bring dogs from the Middle East to Canada, in addition to helping rescue dogs domestically.
Bayham worries what the implications will be for dogs needing a second chance.
“Some of the shelters we work with in the Middle East can hold around 200 dogs. If they can't take in any more dogs, those dogs are getting hit by cars, they're starving to death. There's a lot of cruelty that goes on with people just shooting dogs or trying to run them over with their cars,” she said.
The non-profit jumps ensures dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered before boarding a plane, she told CTV News
“We protect ourselves and our dogs against [rabies] by immunization. So to pretend that this is about rabies was infuriating for those of us in the rescue industry,” Baynham said.
The CFIA maintains the new measure will go to protecting the health and safety of humans and pets.
“The CFIA has consulted with public health authorities regarding the human health risk and it has been determined to be significant enough to warrant the implementation of a measure that prevents the introduction of the rabies caused by dog rabies to Canada,” an agency spokesperson wrote in a statement.
“With commercial dog imports having increased by 400 per cent in recent years, the introduction of dog rabies poses a serious health risk to Canadians and their pets. While the rabies vaccine is very effective in preventing rabies in dogs, it does not guarantee protection unless the dog is adequately and regularly vaccinated,” the email continued.
MOVE APPROVED BY VETERINARIAN
The news comes amid a push already underway to better regulate the animal rescue industry.
In the past year, there have been two cases of canine rabies in Ontario. There was also a case of brucellosis from a rescue dog in Vancouver recently.
Dr. Adrian Walton, a veterinarian at Dewdney Animal Hospital, said he supports the CFIA’s decision. Not only have their been instances where vaccination documents have been falsified, he says, but sometimes vaccination alone can't prevent the disease.
“If you're in a country where canine rabies is endemic, there's no way to prevent that from coming into this country with rabies, even if you vaccinate,” he said. “It could already be rabid, and it can take up to a month to six months before his animal will start showing clinical signs.”
Dr. Walton said by then, it will be too late for the human.
“Unfortunately, that means a death sentence to whoever is infected with rabies,” he said.
“Nobody wants to stop rescued animals from overseas coming in. What we want to do is we want to come up with a way that they can come in safely into the country.”
ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP SUPPORTS BAN
Animal welfare group, Paws for Hope, also agree the new measure will be a step in the right direction.
Kathy Powelson said she has been calling for greater oversight of the industry because there have been some questionable rescue practices.
“If rescues were practicing responsibly, and doing all the necessary health checks, health protocols and quarantine prior to the animal coming into the country, as well as quarantine, when landing in the country, before going up for adoption or sale, I don't believe this would it be necessary,” she said.
She said since COVID-19 restrictions have eased, shelters are filled with animals looking for homes and it isn’t necessary to adopt from overseas.
She said people can still help animals overseas by supporting the organizations that are on the ground.
“We want spay and neuter programs. We want mass vaccination and rabies programs in those communities. And we want to work with community members to address why there is such a massive dog overpopulation or mistreatment problem. Simply just transporting them out of country is not solving the problem -- it is such a band aid solution,” she said.
CALLS FOR EXEMPTIONS
The United States Centers for Disease Control brought in a similar ban last summer.
Three weeks ago, it amended the policy to include exemptions and now welcomes dogs from high-risk countries as long as they meet certain vaccination and quarantine criteria.
Camille Labchuk, lawyer and founder of Animal Justice, would like to see similar exemptions in Canada for rescue organizations and for humanitarian efforts.
“It can be addressed through testing, it can be addressed through quarantines and other measures that I know rescues are all too happy to comply with. So, what's puzzling is the CFIA hasn't done the work to consult with rescues and find solutions,” said Labchuk.
She launched a petition in support of this, which she said has already garnered more than 12,000 signatures.
Since the measure isn't coming into effect for another couple of months,she also vowed not to stop fighting on behalf of the animals.
"We are working with the dog rescue community and we'll be actively reaching out to the CFIA to see what can be done to make sure that dogs don't pay the price for this effort," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.