§2148 — Title 7 Agriculture | U.S. Code

Summary

Anyone who brings puppies into the United States to sell must make sure each dog is healthy, has all required vaccinations, and is at least 6 months old when imported for resale. Federal agencies will make rules to carry out and enforce these requirements. There are exceptions for dogs imported for research or for veterinary treatment. Dogs legally brought into Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand can be younger than 6 months only if they follow Hawaii’s rules and are not taken out of Hawaii to be sold before age 6 months. "Importer" means a person who brings puppies into the U.S. to resell them. "Resale" means any transfer of a dog under 6 months old to someone else for more than a very small amount of money. Importers who break the rules will face federal penalties and must pay for the dog’s care, veterinary treatment, forfeiture, and adoption.

Title 7, §2148

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)The term “importer” means any person who, for purposes of resale, transports into the United States puppies from a foreign country.

(2)The term “resale” includes any transfer of ownership or control of an imported dog of less than 6 months of age to another person, for more than de minimis consideration.

(b)(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall import a dog into the United States for purposes of resale unless, as determined by the Secretary, the dog—

(A)is in good health;

(B)has received all necessary vaccinations; and

(C)is at least 6 months of age, if imported for resale.

(2)(A)The Secretary, by regulation, shall provide an exception to any requirement under paragraph (1) in any case in which a dog is imported for—

(i)research purposes; or

(ii)veterinary treatment.

(B)Paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to the lawful importation of a dog into the State of Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand in compliance with the applicable regulations of the State of Hawaii and the other requirements of this section, if the dog is not transported out of the State of Hawaii for purposes of resale at less than 6 months of age.

(c)The Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate such regulations as the Secretaries determine to be necessary to implement and enforce this section.

(d)An importer that fails to comply with this section shall—

(1)be subject to penalties under section 2149 of this title; and

(2)provide for the care (including appropriate veterinary care), forfeiture, and adoption of each applicable dog, at the expense of the importer.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2148, Pub. L. 89–544, § 18, Aug. 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 352, prohibited any

Construction

of this chapter which would authorize the Secretary to promulgate rules,

Regulations

, or orders for the handling, care, treatment, or inspection of animals during research or experimentation, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–579, §§ 19, 23, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1564, 1565, effective one year after Dec. 24, 1970. See section 2143 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Enactment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective

May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title. Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14210(b),

May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1464, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIV, § 14210(b),

June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2226, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [

June 18, 2008].” [Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.]

§2148 Importation of live dogs