Which department regulates the entry of dogs used in livestock handling?

The regulation of the entry of dogs used in livestock handling falls under the jurisdiction of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). APHIS is responsible for overseeing animal health and livestock management to ensure that the animals entering the country do not pose a risk to native livestock or the agricultural industry as a whole.

The involvement of APHIS is crucial as they set guidelines and protocols to manage health concerns associated with the introduction of animals, including working dogs, which may carry diseases. They also ensure that these dogs are properly certified for health and behavior before being allowed into livestock handling environments, catering to both animal welfare and agricultural productivity.

In contrast, while the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for border security and immigration enforcement, it does not specifically regulate agricultural animals. Likewise, the CDC focuses on public health and preventing the spread of diseases in humans, not the entry of working dogs in agricultural settings. The USDA oversees the broader agriculture sector but primarily implements the regulations stipulated by APHIS for animal health specifically.