Daily News for the Showing Fancy
Daily News for the Showing Fancy
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The Other Side Of The Fence
Saving the AKC
Show The $ Spychips!
The Mouth Of Babes
Sit, Stay, Don't...
Stop Bitching!
Addamo Asks:
Judges - Problem?
Ms. Jade & Legislation
Vote On My Dog For Your Health
Flea Poison
Harper's Heroes
Rabies Fiasco
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McDANIELS - MARTIN - AKC JUSTICE? Sept. 18, 2002 We present two real situations that sharply contrast one another as regards interpretation and enforcement of AKC rules and policies. The first involves cruelty charges against handler Junior McDaniel. Uncharged but believed equally guilty are Kenn Little and an assistant known as “AJ” Little. AKC was first informed of the current situation on August 18th 2002. Sharon Masnick and Benson Ray filed a complaint August 26th with the Case Management Department. It states in part “Junior McDaniel is on parole until 11-14-02 for abandonment of an animal” and goes on to cite specifics including a pending cruelty warrant, provides names and phone numbers for local law enforcement and Animal Control officials who substantiate the charges. August 29th AKC replies that “it takes a few weeks to acknowledge receipt of complaints.” August 30th warrants were issued for Ken Little and Junior McDaniel. September 6th, the story breaks in the press and on Television. September 14th, Ray and Masnick send another letter to Bob Slay (V.P. Compliance) and the AKC Board Of Directors, again with extensive documentation and specific charges relating to violation of AKC Rules, some of which took place on AKC show grounds. The letter was accompanied by volumes of evidence relating to the horror, including sworn statements of past cruelties to show dogs. As of September 17th AKC has taken no discernable action. Sept 20th McDaniel arrested, thanks to exposure! Trial date Oct. 9th. Sept. 28th, AKC contacts some people who sent sworn statements. No action resulted. The other case pertains to Debbie Martin, popular “down south” handler. She was benched by Bayou Kennel Club (Monroe LA) on August 31st due to a report that the Fairfield Inn room rented in her name suffered damage to the bedspreads caused by fecal matter as a result of her Chihuahuas having been left uncrated. The Bench Show Committee Procedure and Post Hearing Statements are alleged to have been initiated and controlled by certain of Mrs. Martin’s competitors. Mrs. Martin says several other rooms involving other exhibitors were reported as damaged but no one was penalized. Mrs. Martin says she continued to stay as a welcome guest at the hotel and exhibited without incident for the remainder of the weekend under assurance by the kennel club president and the AKC Rep that the report would recommend only a reprimand. The following week, Mrs. Martin received a personal call from Bob Slay advising that she was suspended for three months and fined one thousand dollars. The statements and evidence gathered so far by Mrs. Martin’s attorney have resulted in a strong Petition for Reconsideration - which was denied. These two cases have a lesson attached but you must make your own determination. The question is not so much who is right or wrong. The question is whether or not rules are equitably applied; what criteria prompts an investigation; what constitutes “inappropriate treatment”; does neglect of an animal to such a degree that it suffers serious damage or death translate to automatic suspension, and if so, does someone have only to notify AKC or must a formal complaint be filed, and if so, how much does it cost? Do other animal cruelty or abuse convictions count or is it only dogs? The courts and investigative organizations acknowledge that people known to abuse or torture animals are more likely to take human life. Are people in the fancy different than the general population? AKC must think so, we're told abuse of other species "doesn't count." Does the nebulous term “prejudicial conduct” allow certain people to continue to do harm? Can the term be interpreted so that one person can be destroyed at the whim of an inexperienced or less than impartial “judge and jury” and another person get by untouched? Our job is to report the news. When we received over ninety pages of documentation regarding these two cases, we contacted AKC to obtain more detailed information regarding the suspension process. Mr. Slay was out but we were able to speak with Ms. Patricia Fiore. She was most cordial but refused comment, repeatedly advising us to “go to the AKC website.” So we did. There was nothing of substance that pertained to either case. Mrs. Fiore had already acknowledged there was no set policy in that regard. She said that the Bench Committee procedure is “well defined” but after a 15 minute search, we gave up and will await the printed copy she graciously offered to mail. (Two years later, we're still waiting but then she no longer works at AKC) We could not find anything specific on the AKC site regarding due process but are told that it does provide for the right to confront an accuser. The chart (a pdf file) shows that Chapter 8 provides long suspension penalties for conviction of cruelty, abuse, or abandonment of animals but we were unable to find information regarding if, when, or how such charges would be investigated. Junior McDaniel and associates were charged with gross neglect and the death of horses and dogs in their care. Several reports furnished to AKC offer proof of embezzlement, fraud, bounced checks and unauthorized use of credit cards. Many of the sworn statements are heart-wrenching and document a long history of abuse. One document states the air conditioner in the McDaniel motor home quit. They were staying in a motel. Most of the dogs were saved by a passerby but several witnesses reported watching the handlers dump one dead Peke in a public trash can and another dog had its eyes popped out of the socket. Numerous allegations refer to dogs having been lost, injured or died as a result of gross neglect in the hands of Junior McDaniels. There are signed statements which document horrible neglect including one chow chow that was so badly eaten up by maggots that it nearly died in spite of top veterinary care. A Pom owner told this office that he let McDaniel take a six month-old group winning puppy to show. He was subsequently warned by exhibitors whereupon he called Junior who said the puppy had been stolen, dropped, and injured by the thief. The owner immediately drove six hours, confronted McDaniel and rescued his puppy with a badly broken and incredibly swollen leg that had been that way for days - without any veterinary attention. The owner says the traumatized puppy has so far had over $2500 in surgery and can never be shown again. The sworn complaints totaled more than twenty five, enumerating neglect as simple as leaving dogs unattended in the show buildings with no food, water, or exercise. Others allegations are far more serious. One report concerns an unattended Pom that fell off the grooming table and was strangling until rescued by another exhibitor. The newspaper story and first hand statements by those involved in rescuing the 11 abandoned horses are painfully graphic. The Sept. 6th issue of the Hickory Daily Record reported “horrendous conditions” with horses “standing in 3 feet of manure which had turned black.” One worker said “There were dead rats, the water buckets were black, no hay or bags of grain in sight, but the smell was the worst.” She continued “I saw that their hooves were no longer hard, but like sponges. When they stepped on the concrete, they made noises like suction cups.” Quoting the newspaper account “Last year, McDaniel was convicted of abandonment. McDaniel was accused of allowing a mare to starve to death.” Among the recently rescued horses it was reported that a starving mare had foaled, and then apparently gone down. Bones protruded from her spine, hips, and knees where she had struggled unsuccessfully to rise. She did the best she could, lying on her side, raising her hind leg up, offering her dry bag to the foal….. In frustration and out of concern for others who could stumble in to the same situation, the following notice will appear in Top Notch Toys, the Pom Reader, and the Orient Express “I am sure you have seen the ……. newspaper article ….. This of course was a chilling revelation to many of us who knew these persons from dog shows, used their services, and thought we knew them! This …. was done to enlighten and inform……... It is not a crime to believe in someone and trust them but it is a crime to be cruel to animals, any animal, be it horses, cats or dogs. This is a reminder to be most careful in selecting someone to be in charge of and care for our beloved dogs. Let us hope that justice will prevail in this case.” Debbie Martin was suspended for alleged damage to a hotel room even though no Chihuahua ever born could deposit the impossibly-large stools presented as "evidence" against her. Martin says she remained as a guest at the hotel that was said to have reported damage to the room and that she was assured by the AKC rep she had nothing to worry about, "it will only be a reprimand." Insofar as we know, McDaniel was never investigated by AKC. We can safely assume he was never charged with abuse other than by the courts. He was not suspended and in fact, was still handling dogs shortly after appearing in court. There are allegations that he escaped being suspended because he was shielded by a former client in the AKC compliance department but we have not been able to verify that. We contacted AKC for comment but none was forthcoming. Perhaps the charges against Mr. McDaniel are false or inapplicable under AKC's "no set policy." Perhaps the complaint against Mrs. Martin were by a competitor who wanted the Chihuahua Martin was handling as claimed by Mrs. Martin. You weigh the evidence. As participants in the surreal world of dogs, we must ask ourselves Was Justice Served? Barbara J.
Andrews,
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