US Bans Dogs from Thailand and other Countries Over Rabies Risk

U.S. health officials Monday announced a one-year ban on bringing in dogs from more than 100 countries including Thailand where rabies is still a problem.

Dogs coming in from Thailand and the other countries already needed proof of rabies vaccination. The ban is being imposed because of a spike in the number of puppies denied entry because they weren’t old enough to be fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The ban goes into effect July 14.

Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, applauded the decision.

“We want to make sure we’re bringing healthy dogs into the country — especially if they are going to be pets,” said Kratt, a veterinarian in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The ban applies to dogs coming into or returning to the country, including pets or those brought in for sale or adoption. For example, if an…