Palm Coast Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) sent a letter to Air Mobility Command Commander General Mike Minehan raising concerns about a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rule on dog imports that could negatively impact military families stationed overseas.

The rule, which is set to take effect on August 1st, mandates that dogs entering or returning to the United States from rabies-free or low-risk countries must have a CDC dog import form, appear to be healthy, be at least six months old, and be microchipped. Dogs from high-risk countries require additional documentation, including a U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a USDA-endorsed health certificate.

Congressman Waltz expressed concern over reports that the rule has already caused confusion, with some airlines preventing dogs from boarding international flights. This has led to increased costs for military families, with potential air freight expenses reaching over $4,000.

In his letter, Congressman Waltz requested detailed information on the impact of the CDC's rule on Air Mobility Command's (AMC) contracted Patriot Express flights. He sought assurances that AMC's contracted airlines would not impose blanket bans on all dogs and inquired about AMC's efforts to collaborate with the CDC to mitigate the rule's negative consequences for military families.

"As a combat veteran and pet-owner, I am concerned about any hardships these families may encounter when returning home. No military family should have to ponder the possibility of leaving their beloved dog or their puppies behind," wrote Congressman Waltz.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear General Minehan,

As you may know, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently proposed a rule that may greatly inconvenience servicemembers and their families deployed overseas.

As drafted, dogs entering or returning to the United States from rabies-free or low-risk countries must have a CDC dog import form, appear to be healthy, be at least six months old, and be microchipped.

Dogs entering from high-risk countries where many servicemembers and their families are stationed require a CDC dog import form; a U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or a USDA-endorsed health certificate; appear to be healthy; be at least six months old; and be microchipped.

While I understand the rule is aimed at preventing the reintroduction of dog rabies into the United States, as a combat veteran and pet-owner I am concerned about any hardships these families may encounter when returning home. No military family should have to ponder the possibility of leaving their beloved dog or their puppies behind.

I am disturbed that the CDC's rule scheduled to take effect on August 1st has already caused unnecessary confusion with some airlines preventing dogs from onboarding with their families on international flights back home. According to recent media reports while some airlines may still transport these dogs by air freight service families could see their costs balloon to over $4,000.

I request that you please provide any information on how the CDC's rule is affecting Air Mobility Command's (AMC) contracted Patriot Express flights. What assurances can you provide servicemembers and their families that AMC's contracted airlines will not issue blanket bans on all dogs from onboarding? Also what outreach has AMC done with the CDC for clarification and application of the rule to best mitigate its negative impacts?

I appreciate your attention to this matter. Their service and sacrifices for preserving our freedoms deserve utmost care and consideration.

Thank you for your kind consideration and I look forward to your prompt response.