October 05, 2001

‘9A’

IMPORT OF PET ANIMALS RESTRICTED

    The Government of India has decided not to allow import of live animals without valid import license. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has specified that import of any live animals or birds, whether as pets or otherwise, will be allowed only with valid import license, issued by the DGFT containing the veterinary and sanitary conditions required to be followed and clearance, obtained from the Animal Quarantine Authorities.

    Recently a number of cases have been reported where exotic breeds of dogs are brought into the country for purely commercial purposes and not as bona fide pets. They are later sold at huge profits or given out as gifts. Sometimes these dogs and other animals carry diseases which are prevalent in other parts of the world but have been eradicated from India. Many of the animals are brought without vaccination. The infections brought into the country through such imports endanger human and animal health.

    As the custom officials are generally not aware of the commercial value of these expensive breeds of dogs and other animals, they often release them after payment of the minimum charges which allows the importers to make huge profits out of it. As per rule these dogs are required to be kept in quarantine for a stipulated period, which is often ignored. Moreover, the animals kept in quarantine fall fatally ill due to unsatisfactory conditions there.