Case of charity worker bitten by rabid dog 'proves that quarantine laws work'

So says Defra today in response to the news that Kim Cooling of Animal SOS Sri Lanka was bitten by a rabies-infected puppy she rescued from the country and brought over here with four others.

Cooling says she feels 'well' and has received prompt treatment; Britain remains, thankfully, rabies-free as the incident was contained in Chingford quarantine kennels. The puppy died, her fellows were put down and the usual process of examining the bodies for traces of the disease is being conducted.

The quarantine laws are occasionally criticised by dog lovers who feel they are harsh, but cases like this do prove that they're in place for a reason.

Chris Laurence, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, had this to say:

"This incident shows how important our current controls are in preventing this dreadful disease entering the country. It also should increase our resolve to fight any proposals from the EU to dilute our safeguards."

It should also be noted that if you want to travel with a healthy family pet and return without having to go through quarantine, there is the Pet Passport scheme. Just remember that those laws are not there to penalise owners or cause unnecessarily long separation, but to protect people and other animals from a very painful, deadly illness.

It sounds like common sense, I know, but these subjects can sometimes provoke emotional responses.