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Across The Board
JUDGING
CONFLICT OF INTEREST,
ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR RETIRES and
more...
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The American Kennel Club
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
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May 2006 -
This year as we gear up for the fourth annual
AKC ® Responsible
Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) I am pleased to report about
some new opportunities for clubs, state federations, and pet-related
organizations as they plan their AKC RDO Day events in communities
across the country.
Publicly promoting responsible dog ownership takes time, initiative
and resources. Last year more than 350 clubs and organizations held
AKC RDO Day events. This year AKC plans to honor those dedicated
individuals and organizations by devoting the fourth quarter AKC
Community Achievement Awards – a program which traditionally honors
clubs and individuals who promote purebred dogs through exemplary
public education and canine legislation efforts – to AKC-affiliated
clubs or federations holding exceptional AKC RDO Day events in their
communities.
Selecting Community Achievement Award winners from among AKC Day
participants is just another way to say thank you for helping raise
awareness about responsible dog ownership issues and how AKC
programs and services play a vital part in that awareness. Up to
three honorees will be accepted and award recipients will receive a
certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to the club
for their ongoing public education efforts. For more information on
nominating clubs visit:
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/CAANominationForm.pdf
Additionally, clubs or individuals that want a "leg up" on getting
the word out and generating publicity for their AKC RDO Day event
can take advantage of an upcoming AKC Communications Summit in
conjunction with the Heart of America Kennel Club dog show in Kansas
City, MO on August 25. To sign-up and learn how to maximize AKC RDO
Day and your club’s media strategy contact us at
communications@akc.org
Don’t forget that AKC is also holding its own flagship events in New
York City on Sept., 16, featuring the popular "Meet the Breeds" in
Madison Square Park and in Raleigh, NC at Millbrook Exchange Park on
Sept. 9. These events, and others nationwide, will include
AKC Canine Good
Citizen® testing, micro chipping clinics, safety around dogs,
agility and other informative and entertaining demonstrations. To
help those holding events further, this year we are making available
additional logo supplies like hats, t-shirts, pencils, stickers and
balloons to make events even more fun for kids.
The AKC is dedicated to providing dog lovers, whether long-time
owners or those considering a dog for the first time, the necessary
resources and educational tools to make the canine-human bond the
best experience possible. For more information about AKC Responsible
Dog Ownership Day or to sign-up to hold an event in your community
visit:
http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/index.cfm
Sincerely,
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HOT
ISSUE IS THE NEW AKC JUDGING CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
"The American Kennel Club ® Board of Directors has adopted a new
Judging Conflict of Interest Policy, effective January 1, 2007. AKC
® believes that it has the best judges in the world and expends
millions of dollars a year to administer its judging approval system
to ensure that quality remains high.
“AKC judging approval confers a certain status on an individual and
with such status comes an enormous responsibility to both AKC and
the Sport as governed by AKC,” said President and CEO Dennis B.
Sprung.
The policy states, with some notable exceptions, that AKC approved
judges should be focused on judging and supporting AKC events.
Approved judges should not have a significant interest in another
registry that is in direct conflict with AKC or be judging for
another event-giving organization to the possible detriment of
events held by AKC member and licensed clubs.
The complete policy is as follows.
(bolding added for emphasis, speed readers, and perusal as has been our
custom)
JUDGING CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
No AKC judge may have a significant interest in a dog registry or
dog event-giving organization deemed by the AKC Board to be in
competition with the American Kennel Club. Significant interest
would include, but not be limited to ownership of, employment by, a
directorship in, and holding office in.
Any AKC-approved judge, who shall judge a purebred dog event in the
U.S. not in accordance with the rules of AKC, which apply to such
purebred dog events without the express permission of the AKC, may
be disciplined even to the extent of having his or her AKC judging
approval revoked.
An AKC-approved judge may judge breeds that are not AKC registrable
and/or that they have not been approved for by AKC at non-AKC
events. The AKC Board has also given permission for the judging of
certain other events based upon the following criteria:
1. AKC has no comparable events in place.
2. While AKC has a program in place, AKC judges have officiated at
events under the aegis of the other organization for years before
the AKC program was initiated.
3. The type of event is not or would not be perceived as being
contrary to the best interest of AKC and the sport of purebred dogs.
4. The event is a breed or type of breed-specific performance
activity.
No
AKC approval is needed to judge versatility or performance
activities developed by AKC Parent Clubs and sponsored by such
clubs.
Events held by the following organizations meet the above criteria,
and AKC-approved judges may continue to judge them:
• American Sighthound Field Association Coursing Events
• American Working Terrier Association Earthdog Events
• American Herding Breed Association Events
• North American Versatility Dog Association Pointing Breed Hunting
Tests
• American Field Pointing Breed Field Trials
• United Kennel Club Coonhound Events
• Professional Kennel Club Coonhound Events
• Any of the various organizations sponsoring Agility Trials
Other activities may be added to this list at the discretion of the
AKC Board.
...... end of quotation
_______________________________________ Handy links:
Senior Conf. Judges Assoc. Letter to the AKC Board April 2006
Individual Rights or AKC's Right to
Change The Rules in Mid-Game?
Senior Conf. Judges Assoc. Letter To Members
No Judges' Associations Were Contacted, SCJA
Reacts, Seeks Input
Conflict Policy Prohibits Learning New Breeds May 2006
Where Are Judges To Learn About
Plott Hounds and Icelandic Dogs?
BRIEF LOOK AT OTHER BUSINESS
(bolding added for emphasis, speed readers, and perusal as has been our
custom)
* The Board
adopted a conflict of interest policy for AKC approved judges
effective
January 1, 2007. It would
prohibit
an individual with a significant
interest
in a dog
registry or dog event-giving
organization deemed by the AKC Board to be in
competition with AKC
from being an AKC
judge. It would also
prohibit AKC judges from
judging non-AKC events in the United States. There are exceptions,
which are included in the policy. The full policy is included in the
minutes from the May meeting.
* The AKC
Board approved funding a Parent Club Conference for up to
$150,000.
The request was made by the Delegate Parent Club Committee, which
will conduct the conference in the Summer of 2007.
* The
Plott
Hound becomes eligible to compete in the Hound
Group, effective January 1, 2007.
* The
Conformation judging approval system was completely revised, and a
procedure for the
removal
of
breeds
from
approved
judges
was adopted. Complete details are included with the minutes of the
May meeting.
* The Board approved the
Working
Dog
Sport as requested by
four breed Parent Clubs (The American Bouvier des Flandres Club, the
Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America and the American Rottweiler Club). This is effective January
1, 2007, with the regulations to be approved by the Board.
* The
Icelandic
Sheepdog was approved to participate in AKC
Herding Events effective September 1, 2006.
The following Delegates were approved:
* Leonard G. Abraham, Belchertown, MA, to represent Holyoke
Kennel Club
* Ann Barbash, Victor, NY, to represent Genesee Valley Kennel
Club
* Gayle Bontecou, Clinton Corners, NY, to represent Mid-Hudson
Kennel Association
* Janice Croft, Blaine, MN, to represent Land O’Lakes Kennel
Club
* Patricia M. Cruz, Coram, NY, to represent Heart of the
Plains Kennel Club
* Lee Davidson, Maineville, OH, to represent Clermont County
Kennel Club
* Denise Dean, Parks, AZ, to represent Bernese Mountain Dog
Club of America
* Roberta Mayers, Waterbury, VT, to represent Green Mountain
Dog Club
* Merry Jeanne Millner, High Point, NC, to represent Furniture
City Kennel Club
* Margaret Uminsky, Levittown, NY, to represent Nassau Dog
Training Club
* Robin Vuillermet, Killingworth, CT, to represent German
Pinscher Club of America
STEVE ROBINSON RETIRES AMID CONTROVERSY
AKC
Assistant Vice President of Compliance Tom Sharp announced the
retirement of Director of Inspections and Investigations,
Steve Robinson,
effective July 7, 2006.
Robinson was an important figure in the AKC’s Compliance program
for over five years. He is credited with managing "all aspects of
the AKC’s kennel inspection program, ensuring effective and
efficient inspection of dog breeders, distributors and pet shops to
meet standards established by the AKC’s Board of Directors and
senior management."
Some are already questioning that "retirement"
as possibly connected to the NC raid on the Chow handler
Ken Little and the failed inspection at the NC "Big Bad"
Wolf facility which was subsequently raided by local authorities.
Wolf and his cronies were found guilty of over
100 counts of animal abuse.
AKC's General Counsel, Mr. Michael Swick, assures us that Mr.
Robinson's retirement was completely voluntary. Swick took
exception to my editorial musings and stated that Robinson reported
to Tom Sharp but that he (Swick) had worked with Robinson for five
years and that he and Mr.
Sharp tried to persuade Robinson to stay. It is understandable
that after so many years in service as a highway patrolman and other
enforcement duties, Robinson was ready to retire.
Robinson will be forgotten by most, wished well by others, but questions are likely to
continue regarding AKC's failure to act on alleged or adjudged animal
abuse cases.
Quoting from the AKC press release, “Steve has served us well and we
thank him for his service and leadership, which has resulted in
improvements in the department’s integrity, effectiveness and
productivity. We wish him success in his future endeavors and know
he is looking forward to many happy years pursuing his varied
interests, including breeding and showing Chow Chows.”
The AKC is now accepting applications to fill Robinson's position. They
require a minimum of eight years of business experience and four
years managing staff in a professional environment. Fittingly, "a
background in law enforcement or regulatory/inspection environment
is highly desired" and the release also stipulates a background in
the sport of purebred dogs as desired. "Above-average computer
skills, especially with MS Office applications, are sought, and a
Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred but not required."
AKC is one of the top employers, benefits are
extensive, perks are pertinent and it is said to be a great place to
work.
AKC - IAMS POSTER CONTEST
The
American Kennel Club and The Iams Company are pleased to announce
the fourth annual commemorative poster competition in conjunction
with the sixth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. All
dog-loving artists are encouraged to submit any original
two-dimensional painting or drawing reflecting the theme: “The
Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs.” In conjunction with the theme,
submissions must include multiple breeds.
The artwork may incorporate a variety of images depicting the best
in purebred dogs including, but not limited to: illustrations of
human/canine bond, colorful expressions of the intensity of the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, images of various purebreds in
action, and the event’s setting, which will be Long Beach,
California in December 2006. Artwork not selected as one of the ten
finalists last year may be resubmitted for consideration.
The deadline for submissions is October 6, 2006 for online entries
and October 7, 2006 for postmarking mail-in entries. An expert panel
will select ten initial finalists, with the grand prize winner
chosen from among those finalists.
The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a
four-day/three-night trip for two to the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship in Long Beach, California December 2-3 (including
airfare and hotel). The winning artwork will be used in a
commemorative poster that will be sold at the event as well as on
the AKC Web site. Proceeds will be donated to Take the Lead, a
501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides direct services,
support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer
the devastation of life-threatening or terminal illness.
“The commemorative poster contest has become one of the most
exciting aspects of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship,” said
Ron Menaker, AKC Chairman. “The competition is inclusive for artists
around the world and it enables them to participate in this special
event regardless of whether or not they’re exhibiting a dog.
Further, the competition raises much needed money for Take the
Lead.”
Amy Newkirk, External Relations Manager of The Iams Company, said it
takes an artist to capture the excitement and enthusiasm inspired by
the event: “Every year, artists express their passion for purebred
dogs and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. The result is
always an abundance of artwork that uniquely puts our love for the
sport of dogs into pictures. Choosing a winner is always the
toughest part.”
To obtain a copy of the official rules visit,
National Championship 2006 Poster Competition or send a self addressed stamped envelope to AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship Poster Competition, Official Rules, The American Kennel
Club, 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the
largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and
regulations govern more than 18,000 canine competitions each year.
The Iams Company, founded in 1946, is committed to enhancing the
well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods
and pet care products that delight the consumer and strengthen the
human-pet bond.
Animal Planet, available in over 86 million homes nationwide, is the
only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection
between humans and animals.
Media Contacts:
Kurt Iverson Daisy Okas Brian Cox
The Iams Company American Kennel Club Fleishman-Hillard
(937) 264-7436 (212) 696-8343 (816) 512-2252
iverson.k@pg.com
dlo@akc.org
coxb@fleishman.com
AKC AT WORK - DVD
RELEASE & PROMO
The
American Kennel Club ® and Buena Vista Home Entertainment announced
a joint initiative today to help inform viewers about the joys and
responsibilities of owning a dog. This partnership is a result of
two highly successful films featuring dogs, Eight Below and
The
Shaggy Dog, which will be coming to Disney DVD this summer.
Both the Eight Below and The Shaggy Dog DVDs will include inserts
about the films’ canine stars; the Siberian Husky and
Bearded Collie. Supplements will feature breed characteristics such as
temperament, exercise needs and grooming needs, interesting facts
and parent club contacts. The materials have been approved by the
Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. and the Bearded Collie Club of
America, Inc.
“While Huskies and Beardies are wonderful breeds, they aren’t
suitable for everyone,” said Gail Miller, AKC ®’s Director of Brand
Development. “We are thrilled that these breeds have received so
much well-deserved attention for their star quality, but caution
anyone who wants to own one solely based on what they saw in the
films.”
Points mentioned in AKC breed inserts include:
* Siberian Huskies and Bearded Collies are very active and
need a lot of exercise
* Huskies shed frequently and require regular grooming
* A true herding dog, Beardies will chase cars, children and
other dogs
“We thank Buena Vista Home Entertainment for the opportunity to help
educate prospective puppy buyers and hope the information encourages
people to do their research, contact the national breed club (parent
club) first, and find the ideal breed to fit their needs,” added
Miller.
Both DVDs will appeal to dog lovers and potential future dog owners
creating a beneficial educational platform. Eight Below is the
thrilling and heartwarming adventure of loyalty, courage and the
bonds of friendship between eight incredible sled dogs and their
human guide. And The Shaggy Dog DVD will include a “Bark Along
Bone-Us” feature which is a Disney first made especially for dogs to
enjoy. This special program combines fun dog-themed footage from the
film with an audio track of barking dogs. DVD household dogs are
encouraged to bark along to this unique feature.
Eight Below comes to DVD June 20th and The Shaggy Dog will be
available on August 1st
Send Your
Comments and Club News to
Media@TheDogPress.com
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