Anti-rabies sign in a harbour. All ports and airports in the UK have such signs, part of a Government programme to prevent rabies (also called hydrophobia) reaching the country. All animals landed from abroad have to undergo a 6- month period of quarantine before they are allowed into the country. The main fear is of an infected animal passing on the virus to wildlife, thus spreading the disease widely and threatening farm and domestic animals and humans. The illegal importation of animals carries a very heavy fine and imprisonment for the owner and destruction of the animal. This sign was photographed in St.Andrews, Scotland.