TOY FOX TERRIER CLUB BACKGROUND; ROGER PRITCHARD; DOG CLUB POLITICS; LAWSUIT DETAILS; THE CHARGES & DAMAGES; PRESIDENTIAL LAWSUIT UPDATE

Barbara (BJ) Andrews, Editor-In-Chief | TheDogPress  11|18|09 - I avoid covering any story with which I am personally involved, thus absolving myself and TheDogPress from charges of biased reportage. The $1.8 million lawsuit was given to TheDogPress as the best way to accurately inform the most people.  We agreed to cover the case because history has shown it would have been covered-up or misreported even though it affects every person who breeds, shows dogs, or is a member of a dog club.

Toy Fox Terrier Club background, prior to November 14th 2009, I had never spoken or communicated with plaintiff Barbara Quast. I had no knowledge of the lawsuit until well after it was filed. I do however have knowledge of the obstacles the Toy Fox Terrier club has faced because I was asked to support formation of the American Toy Fox Terrier Club in 1994. I have never sought office in the ATFTC but in the interest of an involved membership, I offered to pay for a club newsletter. The offer was repeatedly declined and the club has continued to deprive members of information as it pertains to the board, voting (?) for specialty judges, and moving the club forward.

Also in the interest of disclosure, I have challenged the Toy Fox Terrier club election process and offered to pay for ballots to be sent and received by an independent auditing firm. I took the same position as regards the Akita Club Of America and together with a small group of concerned members, we sought legal representation which resulted in the ACA’s legal firm ordering a ballot recall and proper election protocol was thus established.

I voted for Roger Pritchard because I believed he would salvage the club but I regret to say the problems have only accelerated since Roger became President.  Up until the lawsuit was filed, I knew him only as a judge I rarely saw.  The Toy Fox Terrier club suffered its first AKC reprimand under Roger's leadership.  Fearing another censure, I worked with him to re-word a "rule" he wanted that would enable the board to expel people from the TFT club for gossip. The secretary and I agreed the wording would have invited a lawsuit.  I don't know what became of Roger's Rule but we never had a conflict or disagreement.

Other important background of which you should be aware. Dog magazines depend on advertising done to influence judges and subjectively, to garner favor with AKC. As a publisher and dog magazine columnist since 1968, I understand how it works. I have written for ShowSight Magazine (Doll-McGinnis Publications) for 20 years and respect their publishing tradition too much to broach such distasteful subjects within their pages.

Dog club politics are but a microcosm of the national scene. Despite your editor having personal history with the ATFTC, and consequently with Roger Pritchard, we agreed to cover the Quast lawsuit because it is a precedent-setting legal action, therefore, it is news that affects everyone in dogs.  Specifically excluding DMG publications, a lot goes on behind the scenes. 

Some publications curry favor with advertisers by implying a special connection with AKC and that advertising in their publication will assure bigger wins and favorable nods from the AKC hierarchy. In certain instances, that may be true.

Some people claim close friendships and influence with the leadership of AKC in order to aggrandize themselves, control a club, maintain a following, or gain more assignments or clients. In certain instances, those claims may be true.

The Dog Press claims none of the above.  It is the free press, literally and figuratively. Whether broadcast or print, public knowledge makes corruption harder to accomplish.  If The Dog Press serves as a professional, objective news source for the fancy; then it has done its job. Many news outlets are openly biased but broadcast or print, the press represents the very freedom upon which this country was founded. The Constitution protects freedom of speech and of the press specifically.  In our sport, there is self-censorship out of concern for advertising dollars or the threat of disfavor from the AKC if any questionable actions are exposed.  We thought about all that.  Then we decided to cover this story.

No one would deny there are few dog clubs that are free of dictatorial control. The result is that, faced with corruption and the expense of challenging those in control, club members simply drop out. At this time in our history, when Breed and Kennel clubs are failing across the country, losing valuable members is the last thing a dog club can afford.

The Quast Suit was filed as a result of personal damages inflicted by Roger Pritchard but having interviewed Barbara Quast, there is no question that she also saw the damages inflicted on the club. As a board member, she was subjected to perceived corruption that impeded the club and the advancement of the Toy Fox Terrier breed. And so, with an unshakable obligation to the sport and to the ATFTC membership, most of whom were unaware of the behind-the-scenes politics, she took appropriate action.  Our partners think we have done likewise in presenting this case to our readers.  We will do our best to keep you informed at the "dog club lawsuit" goes forward.

Barbara J. Andrews, Editor