Taking a dog to France

[SamanthaTabs]

Last I heard, though, the ferry companies would only accept dogs arriving in cars, not with foot passengers as they used to. People used to drop one member of the family off at the end of a cruise to bring the dog back by ferry, but that would become extremely complicated logistically now that it also needs to involve a car.

Or have they relented again?

Pete

Definitely not relented! Condor ferries accepted me and dog as foot passengers then refused boarding (yes I had approved carrier box for pooch), was then stuck there for 3 days due to necessary vet treatment then non valid (weekend, ooh no vet open...)

 

[l'escargot]

Another UK 'opt-out'.

Most of Western Europe has been rabies free for a long time.
What cases there have been, have always involved incidents further afield: Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria, ...

...and France: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rabies-in-france-may-2015

I think the current measures are acceptable except the "approved carrier" requirement. It doesn't make the arrangements any better and probably encourages people to avoid the sensible precautions.

 

[Koeketiene]

...and France: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rabies-in-france-may-2015

From your link

investigations have determined that the dog, a 7 month old white bull terrier, had been illegally taken to Algeria for 3 weeks

Again, an incident involving travel outside Western Europe.

 

[maby]

Definitely not relented! Condor ferries accepted me and dog as foot passengers then refused boarding (yes I had approved carrier box for pooch), was then stuck there for 3 days due to necessary vet treatment then non valid (weekend, ooh no vet open...)

You should have put a fluorescent yellow life jacket on him and dark glasses yourself - plus a white stick!

 

[SamanthaTabs]

You should have put a fluorescent yellow life jacket on him and dark glasses yourself - plus a white stick!

Genius, will add that under cruising tips on my site unless you'd like to submit a guest article

 

[l'escargot]

From your link



Again, an incident involving travel outside Western Europe.

The dog returned to France, where it was discovered it had rabies and the rabies prevention measures are being implemented in France...

Also from the same link: "....Those travelling to this area of France should avoid contact with wild and domestic animals..."

 

[SimonD]

BW is right. There are companies which will transport pets:http://www.pets2go2.co.uk/
A forumite started a campaign to allow boat owners to carry animals but, as with most minority interests, I don't think it got very far. Top marks for trying, though.

That would be me. I got nowhere with Defra but the RYA got involved and had a meeting with officials. They got nowhere either. This is despite the fact that you can sail from say France to Ireland and then to the UK without using an approved carrier. In other words, there is a large hole in the fence.

All I would add is that the likelihood of being detected bringing your dog back from France is virtually zero. The enforcing authority is the local council and, to bring a case, they would have to show that you landed the dog in France and in the UK (without going via Ireland). Then, assuming you had complied with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme, excepting that you did not use an approved carrier, the magistrate could only conclude that, although an offence had been committed, the dog did not present a risk to bio-security. In such a case, what would be gained by the magistrate ordering the dog to be put in quarantine?

In practice, if you were to comply with the requirements, sail back from France, be a bit circumspect about landing (because until you do, no offence is committed) you would have to be the unluckiest sailor alive to have a problem. Needless to say, I am not condoning such action, nor would I consider it myself. I merely state the facts of the matter.

 

[mikemacdonald]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, looks like Jakes sailing will be round Britain for the time being, no great hardship, not Frances fault, just our useless faceless ones making life as awkward as they can. Perhaps I'll send a letter to our MP!!!

 

[geem]

Just brought out two dogs back from Caribbean via Paris last week. You need a pet passport. You can sail out of the UK but must come back via authorised route not by Yacht.

 

[Bandit]

Dog needs Passport, chip and vaccinations plus passport( time from injection to being Ok?).

Then you can take dog from UK or CI to France on your boat without seeing anyone quite legally.

Before coming back dog needs to be inspected by a vet, front line type tick treatment plus worm purger tablet and OK to go.

To return from France to UK needs to be on an approved public carrier by air or sea only not your own boat.

 

[bush boat]

There is a loophole which I don't think has been closed. Ireland will let you in without approved carrier and UK will let you in if coming direct from Ireland. OK if coming back by that route is not unduly inconvenient.

 

[dslittle]

Whilst France is out for a dog on a yacht, the Channel Islands are okay. We regularly visit and declare the dog on arrival, bit difficult to miss a black labradoodle stood on the deck when the Harbourmaster comes alongside. Never had a problem so far.

+1. Sitting in the Channel Islands just now with our dog on board. No issues at all - she is even allowed on Sark now...

Oh. And the weather is Grrrrreat

 

[dslittle]

I believe St Peter Port don't allow dogs on walk ashore pontoons, you have to take them ashore by dinghy.

Funny that. I have just walked back to the boat from SPP with the dog - and neither of us do miracles!!!

 

[Stork_III]

Funny that. I have just walked back to the boat from SPP with the dog - and neither of us do miracles!!!

Presumably, you got to SPP directly from the UK, you have the express permision of customs to berth against the quay or pontoon, you are not moored in the marina. Otherwise you are breaking the law and risk 6 months quarantine for your dog.

http://www.guernseyharbours.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=95249&p=0 page39.

 

[dslittle]

Presumably, you got to SPP directly from the UK, you have the express permision of customs to berth against the quay or pontoon, you are not moored in the marina. Otherwise you are breaking the law and risk 6 months quarantine for your dog.

http://www.guernseyharbours.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=95249&p=0 page39.

Yes that is all correct - I read it before we came here.

 

[l'escargot]

Funny that. I have just walked back to the boat from SPP with the dog - and neither of us do miracles!!!

That's reassuring, I am currently in Elizabeth Marina in Jersey with my 3 dogs, I shall look forward to visiting St Peter Port in the summer. Only last week someone was telling me of a HM in Guernsey threatening dire consequences for having the audacity to turn up from Jersey with a dog on board. Did you contact them in advance of your arrival or just turn up?

 

[dslittle]

That's reassuring, I am currently in Elizabeth Marina in Jersey with my 3 dogs, I shall look forward to visiting St Peter Port in the summer. Only last week someone was telling me of a HM in Guernsey threatening dire consequences for having the audacity to turn up from Jersey with a dog on board. Did you contact them in advance of your arrival or just turn up?

Just turned up but been here before with dog. As long as you let the Harbour Master's dory know as you arrive and complete the Customs Form there are no issues.

 

[l'escargot]

Just turned up but been here before with dog. As long as you let the Harbour Master's dory know as you arrive and complete the Customs Form there are no issues.

So where do they let you moor?

 

[dslittle]

On the outside walk ashore pontoons. NOT in the Marine - but we can't get in anyway. There is water but no power.

 

[skyflyer]

I think a few people are at cross purposes here, confusing the legal position with the harbours right to impose whatever T&Cs it likes on users.

Legally, there is no restriction on dogs arriving to CI directly from UK on a private vessel.

The harbourmaster may make it a condition of use that you moor somewhere special, or declare this or that, or wear a knotted green handkerchief on you head to signify you have a dog on board. If you fail to comply with those T&Cs your dog can not be quarantined as a result!

In practice I suspect the HMs T&Cs are designed to enable him to identify any dogs before they are landed and establish therefore whether they have come directly from UK or not.