BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) has introduced a bill that would suspend the CDC’s new regulations regarding the importation of dogs from Canada across the border.
“These regulations went too far. They represented an excessive burden. They were not communicated properly,” he said on Friday at a press conference at the foot of the Peace Bridge.
The aim of the new regulations is to prevent the spread of rabies.
These regulations came into force on August 1st and require anyone wishing to bring a dog across the border to complete an online form two to ten days before entry. The dog must have a microchip and must be no younger than six months old.
Kennedy’s proposed BARK Act would remove those regulations when it comes to bringing an animal across the border from a country like Canada, where rabies is rare or nonexistent.
Ashley Acevedo of Buffalo is the owner of Wally, a pit bull she adopted from the Buffalo Animal Shelter 11 years ago. Many countries have restrictions on pit bulls, so she is already limited in where she can take Wally. But she has a lot of questions about the CDC rules that were just put in place.
“If I were in that situation, I would probably think twice before leaving and trying to come back with my pet,” Acevedo said.
Thomas Igiel, an American Kennel Club obedience judge and trainer and member of the Western Lakes Training Club, attended Kennedy’s press conference. His dog, Lager, was born in Canada.
“We got Lager in Canada five years ago and brought him into the country when he was six weeks old. If that rule were still in place today, Lager would not be here with us today and he would not be happy,” Igiel said.
