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The American Kennel Club CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

August 2008 - Last month the American Kennel Club along with Karen R. Breslin of the Progressive Law Center, LLC of Lakewood, Colorado and the Washington D.C. office of Kaye Scholer LLP filed a brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit asking to reverse a lower court’s decision and grant former Denver resident Sonya Dias, and others, a hearing on the unconstitutionality of Denver’s so-called “pit bull” ban. The ordinance, originally enacted in 1989, in part states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, exercise, control over, maintain, harbor, transport, or sell within the city any pit bull…” it further states, “a ‘pit bull’ is …”defined as any dog that is an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards…” Those found in violation of the ordinance are subject to arrest and seizure and euthanasia of their pets. When did breed standards become the benchmark for law enforcement pertaining to a criminal act? This is what has happened in Denver and why we have joined in this legal action. There have been several legal challenges to this ordinance on different grounds in the past, but since 2005, when the city re-instituted enforcement of the ordinance, several hundred dogs within the city limits have been euthanized simply because of their phenotypic characteristics based on certain breed standards. In this latest round of legal challenges Dias, et al, filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado in April 2007, challenging the constitutionality of the breed ban. Dias and the other owners were forced to move out of Denver with their dogs because of the ban which they asserted was a violation of, among other things, their constitutional rights as set forth in the Fourteenth Amendment. The city sought dismissal of this case and the court granted it in March 2008. The AKC believes the lower court’s decision should be reversed to give the much maligned and misunderstood breeds - identified under the generic term of ‘pit bull’ - and their loving owners their day in court. The AKC takes any threat to responsible dog ownership seriously. We believe there are ways to have reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern dog ownership. Lawmakers must establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as "dangerous" based on stated, measurable actions rather than on their look, or some vague characteristics left open to interpretation by anybody asked to enforce it whether a breed expert or not. Targeting a breed - or a dog that has “the majority of physical traits” of a certain breed is akin to stereotyping, which we all know is false. Dangerous dogs must be judged on their deed not their breed. Sincerely,   Ron Menaker Chairman

Highlights from the August 2008 Board Meeting

• AKC management was directed to aggressively pursue all registrable dogs in the commercial sector where all AKC rules, regulations, and policies are followed and the Chairman and President were authorized to take all necessary steps to provide for the support of management and staff to pursue this objective.
   

• The Board of Directors unanimously concurred without objection, with a legislative staff recommendation that the AKC move to a neutral position on California Assembly Bill 1634, now known as the "California Responsible Pet Ownership Act." The bill has been radically amended and addresses two major issues resulting from irresponsible dog ownership - dogs that are found roaming and dogs that are not licensed as required by existing law. More information is available here.
   

• The Pekingese Club of America was denied approval for holding of a Specialty Show on February 8, 2009. This action was based upon years of turmoil in the club as well as questionable actions by the club’s Board of Directors.
   

• The Board appointed the AKC Nominating Committee that is to select candidates for the vacancies that are to be filled at the March 2009 Delegate Meeting:
  Erik Bergishagen, Detroit Kennel Club, Chair
  Rey Burgos, Chihuahua Club of America
  Blackie H. Nygood, Mispillion Kennel Club
  Harry G. Ottmann, Fort Worth Kennel Club
  Jack G. Smith, Great Western Terrier Association of Southern California
  Alternates:
  Carl E. Holder, Beaumont Kennel Club
  Patte Klecan, American Bouvier des Flandres Club
   

• The proposal to develop a program to permit mixed-breed dogs to compete in Companion Events was not adopted.
   

• Effective January 1, 2010, the American Foxhound will be listed as such on all AKC publications and on all forms rather than as Foxhound (American). This change was requested by the American Foxhound Club.
   

• The Board voted to open up the Basenji stud book to African imports from January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2013, provided the dogs met the criteria set by the Basenji Club of America. Full details are included in the August 2008 AKC Board minutes.
   

• The Board approved a letter of understanding with Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), confirming policies and practices that have been followed for years without a written document. This letter is still subject to final ratification by FCI.
   

• The Finnish Lapphund will be eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class, effective July 1, 2009.
   

• Obedience jump heights were lowered to three-quarters of the height of the dogs at the withers, effective January 1, 2009, for the following breeds: Akita, Bichon Bolognese, Chinese Shar-Pei, Kishu Ken, and Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
   

• Revisions to the Chihuahua breed standard, as published, were approved, effective October 1, 2008.

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