The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is considering new rules regarding required health tests for dogs being brought into Wisconsin by all dog sellers (including rescues and shelters) who are required to be licensed under ch. ATCP 16.

     What are the Current Requirements?   Currently, all dogs need only have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and dogs over 5 months of age must have a current rabies vaccination and certificate.

    Current Rules   

     Why Is A New Importation Rule Being Proposed and What Is Proposed? Recently, several dogs imported from both the Korean Dog Meat Markets Trade and out-of-state shelters and rescues have tested positive for brucellosis. A number of dogs from out- of- state rescues/ shelters are also testing positive for heartworm. In order to protect animal and human health in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is considering new rules requiring testing for these two health risks.

    Proposed New Rules   

     First, brucellosis testing will be required for all unspayed/unneutered dogs being brought into the state by licensed breeders, sellers, rescues, and shelters. Canine brucellosis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be transmitted to humans through "birthing tissues and fluids," urine, saliva, and feces -- and also by contaminated objects such as bedding, equipment, clothing or shoes. It causes miscarriages and sterility in breeding dogs, along with a variety of joint and other health issues if left untreated.

     According to the International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org), "Treatment is expensive, and cures are difficult to achieve." Chances are good that the disease will reoccur. In a kennel situation, infected dogs of either gender are immediately euthanized. For a pet owner, there will be a tough decision.

     Documented cases in humans are rare, but since the symptoms can be mistaken as the 'flu, brucellosis cases in humans may be under- reported. Brucellosis can be devastating for pregnant women.

    What is Canine Brucellosis?   

    2016 Special Order to Control Canine Brucellosis (pdf)   

    IVIS: Canine Brucellosis Caused by Brucella Canis (pdf)   

    Brucella canis: a threat to canine and human health (pdf)   

     Additionally, the rule proposes testing for heartworm in dogs coming into Wisconsin. Many shelters and rescues have used a "don't ask, don't tell" method of dealing with heartworm testing that has resulted in bringing heartworm positive dogs into Wisconsin. Heartworm is just exactly what it sounds like, foot-long, thin worms that live and grow in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to other organs in the body. If untreated, it can kill the dog host. (Heartworm has also been diagnosed in cats.)

     Treatment itself is costly, and can be dangerous to the life of the animal. We at WPMP personally know two dogs who died from complications of heartworm treatment. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes who bite infected dogs and then transmit the infection to their next victims.

    More about Heartworm   

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

     Although the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project does not import dogs from out-of-state or out of the country (and is therefore technically neutral on the rule proposal), we have seen the devastating effects of both canine brucellosis and heartworm on infected animals and on the people who cared for them. We DO support measures that improve and protect animal and human health and reduce the potential for disease transmission to Wisconsin populations.

     We encourage you to educate yourself on these two diseases (the links we have provided on this page will be very helpful), then to contact DATCP with your thoughts on the proposed rule change. We understand that this can be a very emotionally- charged issue so, as always, we ask everyone to be polite and respectful in stating your opinions.

Comment is requested by August 7, 2019. Please send comments to:

Angela Fisher
Program and Policy Analyst
Division of Animal Health
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Phone: (608) 224-4890
Email angela.fisher1@wisconsin.gov

    Current Rules      Proposed New Rules   

    What is Canine Brucellosis?   

    2016 Special Order to Control Canine Brucellosis (pdf)   

    IVIS: Canine Brucellosis Caused by Brucella Canis (pdf)   

    Brucella canis: a threat to canine and human health (pdf)   

    More about Heartworm   

ABOUT THE DOG PICTURED ON THIS PAGE:        Max the Boxer was purchased at the March 10, 2007 dog auction in Thorp, WI. He was subsequently diagnosed with Brucellosis. You can read the entire story here. Be warned, though; this story does NOT have a happy ending.