The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) has proposed changes to two administrative rules pertaining to dogs.
Docket No. 24-1072 seeks to make changes related to certificates of veterinary inspection. The proposed rules update:
- The definition of certificate of veterinary inspection by adding, “An APHIS 7001 form shall not be considered an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.”
- The Importation of Domestic Companion Animals rule to require a non-APHIS 7001 CVI form to be submitted for importing domestic companion animals into the state.
Click here to view the proposed rule.
Many states do not accept the APHIS 7001 form because they are accessible to anyone, not just accredited veterinarians, and because they do not have unique ID numbers, which prevents tracing the form’s origin. These have increased the likelihood of fraudulent forms being used as dogs travel in international and interstate commerce.
Docket No. 24-1074 removes language for ODAFF to pay seize and impound costs of dogs it seized from licensed commercial pet breeders and animal shelters. Currently, if a court finds that ODAFF did not have reasonable belief that the health, safety, or welfare of an animal was endangered or in imminent danger, it may order the immediate return of the seized animals to the licensee and may order it to bear the costs of seizure, impoundment, and return of the animals. The proposal would remove the power of courts to order ODAFF to bear the costs of unreasonable seizure and impoundment, leaving only licensees as those who may be ordered to pay costs. Click here to view this proposed rule.
How to Comment:
Interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments on either proposal to Kiersten Wormus, ODAFF Assistant General Counsel, at Kiersten.wormus@ag.ok.us, 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard, P.O. Box 528804, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152-8804. Comments are being accepted through December 2, 2024.
Additionally, interested persons are encouraged to attend a public hearing on both proposed rules, which is schedule for 9AM on December 3, 2024, in the ODAFF Board Room, located at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152.
Need additional information? Contact Ms. Wormus at (405) 522-5803 or at the email address noted above; or email the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.