Sailing with a dog to France and back

[longjohnsilver]

Whilst I agree that much of the system is nonsense, as somebody pointed out earlier, the reception facilities (for want of a better expression) would surely be more elaborate than you describe. The problem wouldn't be processing the 'legal' pets, but the means to deal with ones which fail in some way. Marinas aren't equipped for that.

Actually when you return on the ferry the passport and microchip is checked in France, you get on the ferry and drive straight off in Poole (or wherever) and go home. There is no reception area or any other checks. If anything is not in order, you don't get on the ferry.

 

[maby]

I was tempted to ignore the law and bring the dog back on board until my wife pointed out that if the dog was quarantined then I may as well join him in the cage for 6 months as my life would not be worth living at home.

I don't think the quarantine is six months these days, is it? I believe that they simply vaccine the dog and confine it until it has shown adequate antibodies in a couple of consecutive blood tests.

 

[macd]

Actually when you return on the ferry...

And it's the same with flights. But the proposition wasn't about returning on either.

 

[maby]

Whilst one can accept that the law may in many people's mind is an ass, one has to take into account the consequences of the import of a disease like rabies. Whilst I agree that this is not prevalent in northern Europe the Uk is free of this & similar such diseases. I am not by any means an expert on such diseases, but I do recall reading some years ago what would happen if a case of rabies was to be found in an area of say, Ramsgate.
The article ( this may have been superseded I admit & those in the vet trade may wish to comment) suggested a massive extermination of all pets, inc dogs & cats, for tens of miles around. Wild life such as crows & foxes ( Foxes have been known to travel 40 miles in one night). I do not know the full list but it was extensive.
The point I am making is that because some ar..se decides that they can bring their dog back & forward at will, because they know better & want to drag a dog abroad, a whole load of people will see their pets exterminated.

I do not have any pets, but i was bought up in a household with dogs & a cat & to loose one always bought sadness to us all. Whilst I do not like dogs ( having had to put up with endless barking, being bitten a number of times, dog mess etc etc) I understand how people get attached to them. So the loss due to some muppet with a diseased dog from abroad would not go down too well. Leave the damned thing at home, injections or no injections.
Alternatively just stick to the rules & accept them. otherwise speak to your MP & get the law changed

I have absolutely no wish to see rabies become established in Britain, but the current system does little to protect us. Provided the rules are followed, coming in on an approved ferry into an approved port offers no more protection than a responsible owner bringing a fully vaccinated pet in on a private boat. Equally, the current rules are impossible to enforce and do nothing to deter an irresponsible owner from bringing an unvaccinated and infected animal in. Unless you cross from France with an AIS transponder running, announcing your movements to the world, all you have to do is to keep the animal below decks, briefly land in a small marina where there is no risk of being observed by officialdom, then continue to your final destination - who's to know whether the dog in question was with you in France, or came aboard when you landed in Britain?

 

[EdWingfield]

Equally, the current rules are impossible to enforce

I used to enforce 'em. (I never worked for Border Force) I am sure Mr Maby, that an intelligent person can think of many ways to dodge the system by smuggling.

Rabies prevention relies upon informed, sensible dog owners cooperation.

I know that the system has some flexibility. You must demonstrate to the ministry vet that your dog presents zero risk of infection.

Otherwise, if you can see improvements to the system, you should take your ideas to your MP. (already been suggested I think)

May I suggest that to avoid all the hassle, you pay a neighbours child to do dog minding duties whilst you go sailing to France?