FROM AN OD READER: MASSACHUSETTS SAYS "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT"

This rule affects people across the USA and sets an abominable example. Please forward. Under an emergency order, it is now illegal to bring animals from Lousiana, Mississippi or Alabama into the commonwealth of Massachusetts without approval from the state's Department of Agricultural Resources.

(SEE BELOW)

So, will they be asking every non-human for his or her Identity Papers at all border crossings? Maybe they should have a rule like this for human beings from Katrina-affected states. The rationale for this ruling is that veterinary care is in a shambles and animal medical records have been lost. You could say the same for human medical records.

There is no excuse for human beings. However, Massachusetts does have a particularly stupid governor in Mitt Romney. He certainly gives our Gov. Perry a run for his money in the Stupid Stakes.

Marguerite

==============================================================================


THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1700 fax 617-626-1850 www.Mass.gov/AGR

MITT ROMNEY
Governor
ELLEN ROY HERZFELDER
Secretary
KERRY HEALEY
Lieutenant Governor
DOUGLAS P. GILLESPIE
Commissioner

Emergency Order
2 – AHO - 05

Concerning Controls on Importation of Animals from Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama

September 22, 2005
Whereas, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has received reliable
information that various local and national animal welfare and shelter groups are engaged
in importing animals into the Commonwealth from areas affected by hurricane Katrina;
Whereas, the veterinary infrastructure in the gulf coast region has been severely inhibited
by the destruction of hurricane Katrina, and the remaining infrastructure is severely taxed
in responding to the disaster;
Whereas, a functioning veterinary infrastructure is necessary to issue health certificates and
provide other services necessary to ensure animals originating from a given area are
healthy and free of communicable diseases;
Whereas, veterinary medical records necessary to determine the health and vaccination
history of an animal were destroyed or otherwise unavailable for animals displaced by
hurricane Katrina;
Whereas, veterinary medical records are normally used to determine the vaccination status
of an animal and general health of an animal prior to importation;
Whereas; many animals displaced by hurricane Katrina have been exposed to
environmental conditions conducive to the contraction of contagious disease;
Whereas; rabies, canine parvovirus, equine infectious anemia, and canine distemper exist
in the Gulf Coast region;
Whereas; MGL 140, Section 138a requires that a health certificate accompany all animals
entering the Commonwealth;
Whereas; Emergency Order 1-AH0-05 issued by the Director of Biosecurity, Animal
Health and Dairy services list several requirements concerning animals being brought into
the Commonwealth;
Whereas; animals displaced by hurricane Katrina were separated from their legal owners
and unorganized removal of these animals to another location greatly decreases the
likelihood of these animals being reunited with their rightful owners;
Whereas, the Commonwealth has an emergency management plan addressing how to deal
with animals in disaster situations and the Department of Agricultural Resources is
designated as the lead agency in coordinating a response;
NOW THEREFORE, by authority of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 129, Section 2,
as of this date, and until further notice, no dogs or cats will be permitted entry into the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts that have originated in Alabama, Louisiana, or
Mississippi unless through mechanisms and processes approved by the Department of
Agricultural Resources.
09/22/2005
_______________________ ___________
Brad Mitchell Date
Director
Division of Biosecurity and Regulatory Services
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural