Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development has recalled the importance of vaccinating pets against rabies before bringing them into the EU, following an increasing number of non-compliances.

According to the Ministry, the Veterinary Services Administration (ASV) has been confronted in recent weeks with a number of non-compliant imports of dogs from countries outside the EU. The non-conformities concerned documentation as well as the provisions relating to vaccination against rabies.

The Ministry has thus recalled that rabies is a very serious and incurable disease that kills 60,000 people worldwide every year, mostly as a result of rabid dog bites. Consequently, the authorities have advised the public not to import dogs from third countries and instead turn to professional breeders or national animal shelters when acquiring a dog.

If for a specific reason, bringing a dog from a non-EU country into the EU is essential, pet owners should inform the ASV in advance about the import conditions as provided by the legislation.