Minnesota animal health officials are sounding the alarm after a cluster of rescue dogs from parts of South Dakota tested positive for canine brucellosis, a hard-to-detect bacterial infection that carries serious risks for both animals and people. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says active cases tied to imported rescue dogs have prompted a review of state import rules and quarantine procedures, leaving shelters, adopters and veterinarians weighing testing, treatment and, in some heartbreaking instances, lifetime quarantine or humane euthanasia to stop the spread.
Board Says Tougher Import Rules And Quarantines Are On The Table
In a July 9 news release, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health said several active canine brucellosis cases in the state are linked to imported dogs, many traced to the same area in South Dakota.
"We’re evaluating new import requirements and quarantine procedures for dogs coming into Minnesota from South Dakota due to a high prevalence of canine brucellosis in dogs rescued from that geographic area in the past few years," companion animal program veterinarian Dr. Steve Kivisto said in the statement. The release also notes that any positive test must be reported to the Board, and that the Minnesota Department of Health will investigate if people may have been exposed.
The Board requires anyone importing dogs into Minnesota for resale or adoption to have the animals examined by a veterinarian and accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection stating they appear free from disease, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Testing for canine brucellosis is described as "highly recommended," and Fox 9 reports that seven positive dogs have been traced to South Dakota so far in 2026.
Risk To People And Limits Of Testing
People who live with or work closely with animals, including pet owners, breeders, shelter staff and veterinarians, face the highest risk of contracting brucellosis. The Minnesota Department of Health investigates potential human exposures when canine cases are reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that Brucella canis can be transmitted through contact with reproductive tissues, blood or other body fluids, and that diagnosing infections in people can be challenging. Human cases are uncommon but can be serious. Treatment for human brucellosis typically involves prolonged courses of antibiotics, and public health officials may conduct risk assessments to decide who needs testing or preventive treatment.
Studies Tie Certain South Dakota Rescues To Higher Infection Rates
Concerns about elevated B. canis rates in dogs from parts of South Dakota have been building for years. A serosurvey of nearly 3,900 dogs rescued from two South Dakota Indian reservations between 2015 and 2019 found an apparent seroprevalence of 6.8 percent and an adjusted true prevalence that was substantially higher, according to a peer reviewed analysis on ScienceDirect.
Earlier research on dogs entering a Minnesota humane society in 2016 and 2017 found a lower overall seroprevalence but identified localized clusters linked to specific geographic areas, according to a study in Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Those findings helped spur the Board’s current screening recommendations and its review of import practices.
What Adopters And Rescues Are Urged To Do
Prospective adopters and rescue organizations are being urged to ask for a detailed veterinary health history, insist on a current certificate of veterinary inspection and talk through testing options with a veterinarian before finalizing an adoption. The Board recommends screening dogs that come from geographic areas with known infections and stresses that testing is highly recommended, since animals can carry B. canis without obvious symptoms.
Anyone handling a dog that is suspected or confirmed to be infected is advised to use gloves, avoid contact with birthing tissues and bodily fluids, and consult a healthcare provider if they think they have been exposed.
State officials say Minnesota’s decision to revisit dog import rules is a reminder that interstate rescue and adoption can have real public health consequences. Agencies plan to work with shelters, veterinarians and public health partners as they refine any new requirements. People with questions are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Board of Animal Health or the Minnesota Department of Health for guidance.
