flying into Mumbai with a dog

carlaeb

We got our dog from the customs people in Mumbai Friday evening after MUCH hassle- four hours of screaming, etc. They attempted bribes of 1,000US and then told us they would keep her all weekend until a state veterinarian came in. (We were prepared to pay a tax on the dog, which we were told could be up to 250 US dollars, but certainly not four times that much. We have a mutt, just an adopted stray, not some show dog.) This hassle was despite the fact that we had all the necessary paperwork, including a letter from Mumbai Customs that stated that our paperwork was in order. They had her in the cargo storage room a few miles from the airport which is not air-conditioned, and none of the "dog handlers" would give her water or take her for a walk despite the fact that she had just completed a nearly 20 hour flight in her cage. The "dog handlers" are all afraid of dogs there and said they would not open the cage to give her water due to liability issues- which basically means that they were threatening to dehydrate her to death if we do not give them a thousand US dollars. The possibility of leaving her there for three days made me fly into a rage- I hope no one had a camera phone because I'd hate to see it on the net later.

Eventually, we got them to allow me to enter the storage unit and give the dog food and water while my husband continued to fight with people. So I sat in the storage room with the dog for a couple of hours.

Luckily my husband knew someone who knew someone because we eventually got her released that way. A friend of a friend made a phone call to someone important, and the custom agents backed down. I guess this is how things are done in India.

Still, I do not recommend sending your dog through Mumbai customs unless you are sure your dog will arrive during business hours and you are ready to pay a very hefty bribe if put in that situation.

On the other hand, I've had two people tell me that they had no problem at all, so I don't know what the issue is. I hear that it is common for people to hire a clearing agent vet which costs nearly a thousand dollars, however that is not legally required. We had spoken with Mumbai customs several times in the past month to make sure we had everything necessary and they told us that we did not need a clearing agent vet and that everything would be OK. We even had an official letter stating as much. So I don't know what went wrong. I think it was because the dog arrived in the middle of the night on a Friday when just a handful of guys were working. I don't know.

ANyway, all is well now and our dog is happy in Goa.


Oh and I forgot to add... The customs agent started calling my husband's parents in Delhi (their phone number was listed on the paperwork) hours before we arrived to tell them that they expected us to pay them 1,000 US dollars to have her released.

Nick-H

Many people may report having no problems, however you are the second person in a short time to have been given a gruelling experience getting your dog from the airport --- I forget which member/airport the last report was about.

Glad to hear that you prevailed in the end. Wouldn't it be nice to get these people into trouble? But I guess the anger wears off and there are better things to do with life. Glad to hear that all is well in the end.

capt_mahajan

Even though things have improved a lot in the last ten years or more with authorities at airports, the fact is that many of these idiots will try their old tricks whenever they get the opportunity.

Glad it worked out, and the dog is ok.

Nattusbs

I brought Nattu (my avatar - German Shepard) to Hyderabad last summer with Singapore Airlines - not a problem at all. I guess it is just the luck of the draw.

Cheers

Nattusbs

carlaeb

I've heard that some airports customs are better than others. I had heard good things about Mumbai, but even still took the extra precaution of going up there early to talk to them, submitting the paperwork early and getting a letter to guarantee that everything would be OK. I wonder if I drew attention to myself that backfired later?

Yes I'd like to get them in trouble, but I don't know how to go about doing it. Who would I talk to? Also I'm a bit worried that I would create problems for the friend of a friend who ended up helping us out.

My biggest shock was the cargo area though. Even if customs had released her without a hassle, I'm still very disappointed in the way she was held. The cargo area is not air conditioned, and the caged animal just sits there among a bunch of boxes in the open dusty air while industrial vehicles drive around moving cargo from one place to another. No one gives them water, no one takes them for a pee break. I can't imagine how a dog could survive such conditions if left for the entire weekend as they were demanding.

birds

What an awful experience! I think you are probably right, as they knew you were coming and concerned, they thought they could mess with you. Great that you managed to get your dog out.

It might be worth written a letter to PAWS as they take up issues like this quite effectively.

I am currently in Europe but will be back in Goa in the second week of October, perhaps we can meet for a drink or so.

carlaeb

Someone else told me to write a complaint letter to the Mumbai customs, but I wonder if that will make a difference? Writing to PAWS sounds like a better idea.

My dog is feeling like me- excited to be here, but more timid than usual when we leave the house. lol

Would love to meet for a drink! Have fun in Europe and send a message when you get back.

Nattusbs

Hi Carlaeb

I am sorry to hear the troubles Mumbai airport about your dog. I think I was just lucky (or, they were more excited to see such a large Alsatian). Btw, what breed is yours?

As far as holding surroundings are concerned, lack of AC and providing for water and access to pee for the dog, please this is India. If the folks had the compassion or inclination that dogs are companions that should be cared, India would be a first world country. We have a long way to go for that to happen unfortunately.

Cheers

Nattusbs

carlaeb

Hmm... Tried to respond and it didn't show up. If I double post, sorry.

My dog is a Belgian Malinois mix. Basically, a mutt. Here's a pic of her that will certainly show how silly it is that people could be too scared of her to give her water.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9059694...7600858174287/

Your Alsatian is beautiful! They are such smart dogs.

Nick-H

Dogs are generally kept as guard dogs. Many Indians will refuse to enter a garden or a house until assured that there is no dog, or that it has been locked up if there is one, however sweet it looks.

You'll find that it is no good assuring your delivery men, couriers, maids, engineers, whatever, that your dog is harmless. They will be afraid. Animals can react to fear too, making it self-fulfilling.

carlaeb

This has not been the case here. Maybe Goa is different? No one has had any trouble with my dog, including maids and delivery men. She literally wags her entire body with excitement and throws back her ears when she meets people and does a silly dance. No doubt the maid finds her annoying, but certainly not threatening.

It's possible that the Mumbai customs men were too afraid of my dog to give her water, but more likely they just thought we might pay the 1,000 dollars more quickly if they threatened her with dehydration.

The Indian reaction to dogs (in Goa and in the US) that I see most commonly is not fear, but a general wish to keep their hands clean. My dog looks for petting, they pull their hands away. They think she is dirty, and alas, they are correct. Then she licks my face and I serve them tea- they are right that it is probably all very unsanitary, but so far I have not gotten sick with dog germs.

Nick-H

That's nice: I'm glad your dog is making friends.

Nattusbs

Lucy looks very adorable. She would make a good friend for my Alsatian - how old is she? Nattu is 5 yrs 2 months old.

Cheers

Nattusbs

carlaeb

She is a year and a half old, only. She's very playful when she warms up but a little timid at first when she meets other dogs. She's grown up with my mom's goldie and my dad's doberman, so she certainly needs dog friends here.

Although India is a dog's paradise. There are so many people around all the time. She has a lot to see and smell.

birds

Hi from cold Europe,

Lucy is lovely! She looks incredibly sweet. Who is the Dobberman in the pix, is that yours too or just a play mate?

Will mail when I am back in Goa