Is my pup's dog food poisoning your ecosystem?
 

It seems that non-tradition travel threads get the most action these days, I thought I'd try my hand at another.

Last week, when flying from MUC to IAD with our small yorkie in the cabin, we had a nice surprise at customs. Of course, I had to check that box that we're bringing an animal with us, and that wasn't the problem. Rather than even look at the dog (to confirm there was no foaming at the mouth) or her dog passport (with vaccination report), customs only asked us if we had any dog food and, since we don't make it a habit of starving our dog, of course we answered affirmatively.

The customs folk asked us to show it to them. Looking at the Eukenuba dog food and bacon-shaped treats, we were asked if "they contained meat?" Well, pup isn't a vegan, so confiscated they were!
(Needless to say, our first trip was to Petco).

When asked why they were taking it away from us, these "highly educated" people said that it could devastatingly harm the eco-system if--half way through the bag--we discovered there was bad meat in it and threw it away.

So what did she do with it, you ask?


She threw it away :-)

God Bless America

I didn't think you were supposed to bring meat products back into the US so guess that includes dog food. The customs official's answer and actions don't make much sense. Perhaps they don't understand the reasons for the rules. Could it possibly have to do with mad cow?

I feel sorry for your poor dog - having dumb owners isn't easy.

Your FIRST stop after leaving IAD should have been at Booth Feeds on Tyco Road where you would have paid a hell of a lot less for the dog food than at Petco.

Dog food affects the environment only after it has been used.

--Marv

Perhaps we should convert Pup to being non-red meat eating :D

Hi riffic,

It is not permitted to import meat or meat products into the US without a license from the USDA - period.

Then I guess duck doesn't qualify as meat, because after scrutiny this month at Orlando customs I was permitted to bring in my two cans of Fauchon's Canard A L'Orange.

Fowl isn't meat? Tell that to my Irish Catholic parents who fed us pancakes (and only pancakes) for dinner every Friday night. (Like we kids objected!)

Was advised would not have been able to import beef or pork. What about those people I hear about who bring home sausages? What do they do? Stash the illegal links in their longjohns?

BTW, the duck was godawful! Jellied skin, thigh bones, and very little meat (fowl) in an over-flavored, luridly hued orange sauce.

But what if your dog is on the Atkins diet?

if meat is not permitted, what is everyone's experiences with Foie gras?

Pup returns to MUC tomorrow bright and early (due to moving the clocks back an hour tonight) with the wife.

My bets are that German customs doesn't do any dogfood confiscating.