§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Donoughue on 30 June (WA 73), what are their reasons for classifying guide dogs for the visually impaired as "pet dogs" or "pet animals" for the purposes of the current policy on quarantine. [HL2529]
§ Lord DonoughueGuide dogs, like all dogs, are rabies susceptible mammals. Under the current policy, all dogs imported into the British Isles must spend six months in quarantine. The only exception is for commercially traded dogs moving between member states of the European Union for which separate rules exist. As I explained to the noble Lord in my reply of 30 June, the Advisory Group on Quarantine is assessing the current policy and alternatives, and will report this summer or early autumn. A full public consultation on the options available will then be held.