RESCUE DOGS AND UK QUARANTINE REGULATIONS

Motion Text

That this House recognises and commends the work done by rescue dogs trained in the UK; congratulates the dogs and their handlers for the swift and effective way in which they find victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters in stricken areas; acknowledges that their rapid and selfless response to such disasters saves many lives and has become an essential part of any comprehensive humanitarian aid effort; regrets that the Government still applies six months' quarantine confinement to all such dogs returning from any scene of disaster; notes that a recent World Health Organisation report recommends such quarantine stipulations be lifted on the grounds that they are unnecessary for any dog that is vaccinated and has a microchip; and calls on the Government urgently to change its policy to meet the recommendations of the World Health Organisation report.