Upcoming Election

This Sunday, adult humans in Sweden may vote in an election to the European Union Parliament. Dogs may not vote. The EU has, however, made important differences for dogs in Sweden. Sweden is a country free from rabies and dwarf tapeworm (hymenolepsis nana), which previously meant that dogs coming to Sweden from countries not free of these diseases were quarantined for months. This was not good for the dogs and expensive for their humans, and it had negative impacts on breeding, since it made it difficult to import new dogs. Thanks to the EU, Sweden has other rules now, that requires vaccination and health statements by veterinarians, but no quarantine, if you come from a country where there is low risk of being ill with the diseases I mentioned. Most European countries are low risk countries, and so are the USA and Japan. I believe every adult human should vote, but try to check what the candidates think about the free movement of dogs and other animals and on rules against animal cruelty first. It is important to have rules to keep dangerous diseases out.