12/07/2024
THE CDC Statement regarding offering any type of exception to U.S. Military stationed abroad for simplifying their return home with their pets basically boils down to:
Some U.S. military members falsify documents, therefore ALL of them are not to be trusted or given any special consideration, despite who their employer is.
Also, adopted stray dogs are all disease ridden filthy animals, and because some U.S. military have been “reported” to adopt animals abroad, all military are denied any exemption, regardless of when and under what conditions, and where the dog was adopted.
Furthermore, the government will pay military’s costs so shut up and do what we say.
It doesn’t matter that multiple other government agencies (in USA and abroad) issue many exemptions to policy for military servicing USA abroad. CDC doesn’t care.
Here are excepts of the ruling:
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HHS/CDC disagrees that USG employees and members of the U.S. military should be exempt from any or all importation requirements.
CDC has no data to support the proposition that dogs owned by USG employees or members of the U.S. military are better cared for than other dogs or that individuals in these groups are less likely to attempt to import dogs with falsified documents or fraudulent or insufficient titers.
CDC has documented multiple instances of falsified documents, including intentionally altered import permits, forged titer results, and falsified rabies vaccination records, submitted by U.S. government employees and military service members.
Additionally, CDC has documented numerous reports of U.S. government employees, including military service members, adopting stray dogs while stationed overseas… however, the employment status of the importer does not affect the dog's potential risk of carrying DMRVV.
Adopted stray dogs often have unknown rabies exposure history, have received little or no veterinary care or vaccines, and can present a risk of DMRVV just like any other dog that has been in a high-risk country with an unconfirmed vaccination status.
Vaccination, titer, and quarantine requirements are essential to protect USG employees, service members, and their families as well as the U.S. communities these dogs are being introduced into when they arrive in the United States.
Furthermore, HHS/CDC strongly disagrees that this final rule specifically targets USG employees. This rule bases its importation requirements on the risk profile of the dog's country of origin and the dog's vaccination status (U.S.-versus foreign-vaccinated), and not the type of importer. It imposes no additional requirements on USG employees or members of the U.S. military compared to any other importers.
Finally, the State Department has made relocation funds available to U.S. government staff for quarantine fees or titer services. Additionally, there are CDC-approved laboratories providing discounted services for USG employees.
In sum, the risk of DMRVV importation is best determined based on a dog's vaccination status and its recent presence in a DMRVV high-risk country rather than the employer of the importer.
Thus HHS/CDC declines to create a specific exemption for USG employees and military members.
