Although I am originally from Hitchin and have longed to come home for a visit, I have not done so because I have not been allowed to bring my West Highland terrier. She is now 15 and too old to travel. But it seems strange to me that my dog is not allowe

Although I am originally from Hitchin and have longed to come home for a visit, I have not done so because I have not been allowed to bring my West Highland terrier. She is now 15 and too old to travel.

But it seems strange to me that my dog is not allowed in from the US without being quarantined for six months because she may bring in diseases. In the US it has been known for years that the parvovirus is a killer and our dogs are vaccinated against this and many other diseases including rabies which of course kills people too. Yet now I read that poor dogs are dying a horrible death when it is completely avoidable. Why is it not a requirement to vaccinate your dogs, and cats too for that matter, against these horrible killers. I have heard that Britain was considering animal passports so that we could bring in or pets from the US without the long quarantine providing one has them vaccinated. Perhaps Britain should practise what it preaches. My dog and my cat are vaccinated every year for the canine and feline diseases annually and rabies every two years. It is the law! Even if it were not, I love my animals and they trust me to take care of them. I would not risk their lives any more than those of my children. They are members of my family.

JACQUELINE WING. Willow Road, Thief River Falls, Minnesota