NEW YORK (Sputnik) — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have threatened to seize animals belonging to the animal rescue group Sochi Dogs, which offers homeless dogs from Russia up for adoption worldwide, Sputnik found out.
“We never had a problem until recently,” Sochi Dogs President Anna Umansky told Sputnik on Tuesday. “A Customs officer said we were told we [sic] are not allowed to pick up the dogs.”
“We were very worried and nervous because these were two dogs that had spent a long time in a crate, and they needed to be let out to get food and water,” Umansky said.
She explained US agents eventually handed over the dogs, but told her future shipments will be denied until Sochi Dogs abides by US Customs regulations.
“We always have the correct documents, vaccinations and are able to give ample notice before every pick-up,” Umanksy said.
Sochi Dogs, a non-profit organization founded in January 2014, typically imports four dogs a month through the John F. Kennedy Airport.
The group is the first volunteer animal shelter in Sochi, according to the organization’s website.
