Maine mushers claim victory in dogfight over canine travel rules

Photo / Paul Cyr Photography, via the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has tweaked new rules on bringing dogs into the country, set to take effect on Aug. 1.

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By Renee Cordes

Bowing to pressure from mushers who race dog sled teams in Fort Kent and elsewhere, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has scaled back new canine travel rules set to take effect on Aug 1.

While additional documents and requirements will still apply to dogs coming into the U.S. from countries with a high risk of rabies, veterinary paperwork is no longer needed for animals from rabies-free or low-risk countries — only a single form owners need to fill out in advance. All dogs entering the U.S. must also have a microchip and be over 6 months old.

The revised plan was welcomed by mushers including Jaye Foucher of New Hampshire-based Sibersong Kennel, who has taken part in Fort Kent’s Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog races several times and led a petition against stiffer canine import rules announced by the CDC in May.

“This is exactly the victory we were hoping for,” she told Mainebiz on Monday after the CDC announced the new rules.

Foucher's petition, which garnered 1,870 signatures on the Change.org website, had argued that the new travel rules as originally proposed would have imposed a difficult financial burden on mushers, who race in teams of up to 24 dogs over the course of four to five months every year. In turn, the rules would hurt tourism.

“I don’t think the CDC can turn a blind eye any longer to the impact this will have on border states and economy,” Foucher said ahead of Monday’s announcement by the CDC.

'Work isn't done yet'

The Can-Am Crown organization, a nonprofit founded in 1992 that organizes the annual dog sled races in Fort Kent, welcomed the CDC’s rule update in a social media post.

“However, our work isn’t done yet,” the group said on Facebook. “We need to be more active than ever to push for further changes, especially regarding regulations for puppies and the sequence of vaccinations.”

Held every March, the Can-Am Crown International Dog Sled Races are the longest in the eastern United States. The 2024 competition was cancelled because of a lack of snow.

Other reactions

LaNiece Siriois, executive director of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the updated CDC rules but told Mainebiz that “seeing the actual regulations in writing will be best.”

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation, who had also fought the CDC’s original proposal, applauded the tweaked rules.

“We are elated to hear that the CDC listened to our input on this matter,” said a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who is running for reelection to a third term. “We’ve been working with Sen. [Susan] Collins [R-Maine] and numerous other border senators on this issue.”

King and Collins had, in fact, voiced their concerns in a bipartisan letter with some of their colleagues in a July 17 letter to CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine 2nd District, had also campaigned against the CDC’s original plan, warning that the additional requirements could mean up to $4,200 in additional expenses every year for a full team of 14 racing dogs.

Golden, who is running for reelection, on Monday introduced a bipartisan amendment that would block for one year federal funding from being used to implement the CDC’s proposed rules.

"Congressman Golden believes the announcement by CDC is a step in the right direction, but not enough," a spokesman for the lawmaker told Mainebiz. "His amendment is still needed, and he will continue to push for it on the floor."