Dog Teams Held Up by Japanese Rules

Frustrated Swiss team waiting, US negotiating
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 14, 2011 3:43 AM CDT
Dog Search Teams Held Up by Japanese Rules
A member of the Swiss rescue team waits with her dog for the departure to Tokyo over the weekend.   (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

Strict Japanese rules against importing dogs are holding up canine teams that could be critical in rescuing survivors of the nation's massive quake. A Swiss team of 25 handlers and nine dogs has already been delayed, and US officials are negotiating with Japan to speed the movement of search-and-rescue dog teams from Virginia and California. "There are many rules here, so it's taking a long time," a frustrated member of the Swiss team told ABC News. (More Japan stories.)

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