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Tighter animal quarantine rules backed
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Posted on May 19 1999
Saying it is favorable to individuals with disabilities, the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council yesterday threw support behind a proposed legislation that will seek modification in the quarantine requirement for animals properly vaccinated.
Thomas J. Camacho, the council’s executive director, said the bill has taken into consideration the situation of individuals, particularly those with sight disability who use animals like dogs as an aide.
“After having thoroughly reviewed the proposed quarantine bill, I find that it allows for considerable flexibility, which is of great concern to me due to the fact that dogs in particular… aid people with visual impairments in their daily lives,” he said in a letter to the House of Representatives.
Camacho was commenting on House Bill 11-355 sponsored by Rep. Herman Palacios which will amend existing laws on quarantine to ensure that animals coming into the CNMI do not carry contagious diseases.
He maintained some provisions in the proposed measure will guarantee continued “working relationship of a master and dog” as healthy animals or pets will be exempted from the new requirements.
There is no need to subject a healthy pet which has been properly vaccinated against infectious diseases, to strict confinement, at great cost, according to the bill.
Other exemptions will also be granted to those cats and dogs originating from rabies-free areas as well as those owned by individuals who meet the required paper work.
“This policy is certainly in line with the spirit and intent of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990,” Camacho explained, “more specifically, public entities must reasonably modify its policies, practices or procedures to avoid discrimination.”
He also expressed appreciation over the flexibility offered by the measure to persons with disabilities who find service animals, like dogs and cats, a necessity.
The measure is still pending with the House and has not been included in the calendar by members for voting.
