THE Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) says it is concerned about the illegal importation of dogs into the island, which is in contravention of the Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act.

“This is evident in the increasing numbers of Pit Bull Terriers – a breed listed as a Dangerous Dog in the United Kingdom and other countries – and other ‘American”‘ breeds being seen across Jamaica,” the association said in a statement.

“To our knowledge, the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture – the competent authority for the issuing of permits for animal importation – has never granted any permits for the importation of Pit Bull Terriers, which should not be confused with the smaller English Staffordshire Bull Terriers which have been imported legally,” the statement added.

The JVMA, which noted that dogs may not be imported into Jamaica except they are born and bred in the United Kingdom or Ireland, are properly certified by the exporting country, have a valid permit issued by the Veterinary Services Division and quarantined on arrival, warned of threats that could be posed to both animal and human health.

“Uncertified dogs could introduce rabies, lyme disease, echinococcus tapeworms and other infectious or contagious diseases not currently known to occur here,” said the association.

It added: “Rabies is a devastating, fatal disease of the nervous system caused by a virus that a dog can carry for months without signs of illness. Its introduction would cause loss of both human and animal life and costs millions of dollars to control. Lyme disease is a debilitating disease transmitted by ticks. Echinococcus tapeworms cause hydatid disease which can be fatal in humans.”

The JVMA urged persons involved in illegally importing dogs to cease the activity immediately, and asked that anyone knowing the whereabouts of dogs imported from anywhere except the approved countries to report the matter to the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture.