Germany: an imported dog with forged papers dies from rabies

Germany authorities have just confirmed a case of rabies in a dog from Hochdorf-Assenheim, near Mannheim. The dog, which died on 25 January, had been brought to Germany from a non-EU country. According to the accompanying documents, the dog was almost 8 months old, had been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

Dog ‘younger than stated’
The available rabies test confirmed the effectiveness of the vaccination. However, the examination of the animal after it died revealed that the animal was younger than stated when it entered the EU. This means that the import requirements were not met and the import was illegal.

‘Let this be a wake-up call’
‘Let this case be a wake-up call to all Member States to implement and enforce the upcoming EU Regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats,’ warns Ann Criel, Fecava president and UEVP board member. ‘The cross-border trade of under-aged dogs with forged paperwork and doubtful vaccination status is a high risk for pets – and humans. Microchipping and registration in a central database and a closer checking of the breeding facilities will hopefully put a stop to these illegal practices.’