Minutes of the Meeting of the Dog Show Rules Committee June 12, 2017

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Meeting of the Dog Show Rules Committee June 12, 2017 Chairperson Cindy Miller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with a moment of silence in memory of Blackie Nygood and Steve Gladstone, both of whom will be missed. The Chair then welcomed all guests. Committee Members present were: Dr. Duane Butherus Linda Flynn, Secretary Sue Goldberg Cindy Miller, Chairperson Harry Miller David Powers Robert Schroll Barbara Schwartz Johnny Shoemaker Absent were Mary Manning-Stolz and Cindy Stansell. Also present were AKC Board Liaison Harvey Wooding and Staff Liaison Gina DiNardo. Delegate guests present were: Robert Bergman, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America; Gretchen Bernardi, Mississippi Valley KC; Anne Bowes, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America; Burwell, Piedmont KC; Connie Butherus, Afghan Hound Club of America; Jacqueline Carswell, Berger Picard Club of America; Connie Clark, American Fox Terrier Club; Catherine Cooper, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America; Barbara Donahue, American Miniature Schnauzer Club; Bill Dumas, Ventura County Dog Fanciers Assn.; Bob Eisele, Suffolk County KC; Eduardo Fugiwara, Fort Lauderdale Dog Club; Barbara Gates, English Springer Spaniel Club of Michigan; Sandra Groeschel, Dayton KC; Eugenia Hunter, Irish Wolfhound Club of America; Francis Jaeger, American Brussels Griffon Assn.; Sara Karl, Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America; Susie Kissik, American Pointer Club; Michael Knight, Texas KC; Karen Luckey, Spinone Club of America; Vivian Moran, Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America; Chris Orcutt, Irish Red & White Setter Assn. of America; Diane Pearson, Bedlington Terrier Club of America; Julian Prager, Central Florida KC; Doug Rapport, Irish Terrier Cub of America; Laura Rockwell, Anderson KC; Jim Rubin, Irish Water Spaniel Club of America; Sarvinas, Maryland KC; Louise Schmidt, German Pinscher Club of America; Abbe Shaw, Santa Barbara KC; Barbara Shaw, Greater Collin KC; Nance Skoglund, Gordon Setter Club of America; Larry Sorenson, Dachshund Club of America; Staub, Greater Fredericksburg KC; Bruce Van Doran, English Toy Spaniel Club of America; Cindy reminded Duane Butherus, Harry Miller and David Powers, that their Committee terms will expire in September and they need to self-nominate when the forms are distributed in June if they wish to continue to serve on the DSRC. Update on Items sent to the Board Cindy Miller noted that the following items sent to the Board for consideration are to be voted or read at the Delegates meeting: Ch. 16, Sec. 6 This would include the dog awarded Select Dog or Bitch in the calculation of Grand Championship points for the award will be voted at the Delegates meeting. Ch. 11, Sec. 8A regarding DQ/Reinstatement Procedure would require permanent identification for a dog that is disqualified for attacking if it is ever to be considered for

2 Dog Show Rules Committee Page 2 of 2 June 12, 2017 reinstatement. Reinstatement would be conducted by AKC staff. Judges would not participate in the process. The name, AKC number, and the contact information for the owner of the disqualified or reinstated dog would be conveyed to the show superintendent. The Board did not approve this proposed amendment and the DSRC requested that the amendment go forward to the Delegates for a vote, as per the AKC Bylaws BOD Liaison Report Harvey Wooding reported that AKC had a good year. Things have turned around. AKC has done well financially and in terms of registration, up 7% over last year s figures. Agility entries surpassed conformation entries. The Board and staff are thinking about ideas to increase interest and improve our sport. Barbara Schwartz asked about the percentage of registrations for purebred dogs versus mixed breed, and Harvey said he would check on this. Item 3 Staff Update by Gina DiNardo Gina DiNardo advised that the Puppy of Achievement is a pilot program and she also discussed changes to the NOHS. Item 4 Ch. 7, Sec. 1 The Board requested clarification from DSRC on the proposed amendment to Ch. 7, Sec. 1 - judges engaged in certain activities who would not be approved. Johnny Shoemaker reviewed some of the history and issues involved, and Cindy Miller thanked the subcommittee members who worked on this. Johnny read the amendments proposed by the subcommittee and discussed additional changes proposed by Tim Thomas. Upon motion by Robert Schroll and seconded by Barbara Schwartz, it was unanimously voted to submit to the Board the following proposed amendment to Ch. 7, Sec. 1: No judge may accept an assignment nor officiate at any event where a member of his or her household is involved to the extent that there might exist an actual conflict of interest or the reasonable appearance of a conflict of interest as defined in Ch. 11, Sec. 13 and expanded upon in the Occupational Eligibility Addendum and also in the Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges. and to the Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges as follows: AKC operates with an assumption that a judge will judge on the merits of the dogs presented to him or her and will not allow other facts to affect his or her decisions. Past and current associations will not diminish that assumption unless, over a period of time, it becomes apparent that favoritism has entered into a judge s deliberations.

3 Dog Show Rules Committee Page 3 of 3 June 12, 2017 Following the meeting, the DSRC voted electronically on revisions suggested by Tim Thomas which are underlined: The AKC operates with an assumption that a judge will judge on the merits of the dogs presented to him or her and will not allow other facts to affect his or her decisions. Past and current associations will not diminish that assumption unless, over a period of time, it becomes apparent that favoritism has entered into a judge s deliberations, or claims otherwise are substantiated. Item 10 Cleanup of Italicized Portions of the Rules Cindy Miller reported that she has not heard from this Subcommittee chaired by Cindy Stansell and this project needs to be completed. Barbara Schwartz, Sue Goldberg and Johnny Shoemaker expressed interest in working on this project and getting it done. Johnny will chair the Subcommittee and Barbara and Sue will serve on it. Cindy Miller will contact Cindy Stansell and Mary Manning-Stolz to see if they still wish to serve on it. Item 5 Ch. 11, Sec. 1 Barbara Schwartz explained that this was raised by Cindy and Robin Stansell with respect to Bulldog and French Bulldog entries at the Nationals. The second paragraph of Sec. 1 deals with registered kennel names being used by foreign dogs. MariBeth O Neill is not in favor of making changes. Barbara Schwartz received an from Gina DiNardo which provided some clarification regarding this issue. Ch 11, Sec 1 addresses registration with the AKC or a foreign registration whose pedigrees are acceptable for AKC Registration. Gina noted that, in accordance with AKC procedures, foreign dogs are registered as they are in their country of origin. AKC does not police the use of an AKC Registered Kennel Name in a foreign country. Ch. 11 #7 of AKC Procedures for Registration Matters states An imported dog must be registered with the same name under which it was registered in its country of birth, except for the addition of a Registered Kennel Name. Barbara had also asked the Cindy for examples of this issue, but none were provided to her. Barbara did some research and did not feel that it requires any further action at this time. She did not receive a response from Cindy Stansell so does not know if she agrees. Harvey thought that AKC Registered kennel names are identified by a trademark symbol and would be differentiated in that manner. Item 6 Gordon Setter Club of America request re use of inappropriate collars and leads It was noted there is language in the Show Trial Manual, page and Sec. 16 of the Obedience Regulations. The amendment proposed by the subcommittee mirrors that and the subcommittee feels that it will allow event committees to locate and enforce what was previously in the Board policy in Similar language is in Sec. 16 and 17 of the Obedience Regulations, Sec. 9 and 10 of the Agility Regulations and in the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Pointing Breeds regarding tracking devices. The proposed amendment was read by Barbara Schwartz. Nancy Skoglund, Delegate for the Gordon Setter Club of America, explained that this was raised as the result of a professional handler who used a resco lead like a gentle leader, wrapped round the dog s muzzle. When the complaint came to the Board, there was nothing that could be done since both judges did not see it and nothing in the Rules prevented her from using it in this fashion. Sue Goldberg

4 Dog Show Rules Committee Page 4 of 4 June 12, 2017 felt the amendment was well written but asked if it should address improper use of a lead. After some discussion, it was agreed that the subcommittee should specify use more clearly and address flexi-lead use. Cindy requested the new language be sent to Linda Flynn at least one month before the meeting so there is ample time for review. It will be on the September agenda. Item 7 Additional dog show class for months This was submitted by Ron and Teresa Hahn, who felt that this would be very beneficial for imported dogs who cannot be entered in American Bred or young dogs not mature enough for open. Harvey Wooding noted that this would be an optional class used at specialty shows but may not be offered by many all-breed shows. He suggested adding a months class which could be split. Sue Goldberg offered to take responsibility for this and will contact Bri Tesarz for her input and will get back to us prior to September. Sue agreed the class should be optional. Item 15 Puppy Bred-By Class Harvey Wooding noted this was discussed by the Board. Many exhibitors win in puppy and are not eligible to earn a BBE medallion because not all the points were earned in the BBE class. A puppy BBE class would be a solution. This would be for puppies 6 to 12 months of age, and all other conditions for the BBE class would apply. Two suggestions came out of discussion and guest input. First, have the regular puppy classes but have a box to check if the exhibitor is bred-by eligible. If the puppy went winners, the steward would need to confirm that the breeder/owner showed the dog and a notation made in the judges book. Another thought was to research the old policy to see if a minimum/maximum number of points could be earned from the puppy class to remain eligible to finish from the BBE class. Someone thought you could finish with 18 points so that at least 15 points were earned from the BBE class. Cindy Miller will send these suggestions to Bri Tesarz with the hope she will have input for us before our September meeting. Item 8 Ch. 1, Sec. 4 Total Entry Cindy Miller received this request from Sid Marx which addresses sweepstakes closing out entry limits. He requested the Rule be revised to exclude sweepstakes entries from the total entry. It was suggested that the Rule be changed to total number of dogs rather than total entry. Sue Goldberg moved that Ch. 1, Sec. 4 be amended by deleting the TOTAL ENTRY and replacing it with NUMBER OF DOGS, and that this proposed amendment be sent to Staff for review to ensure it does not conflict with any other provision of the Rules or policy. Duane Butherus seconded and it was unanimously voted. Item 11 Event Committee Definition and Responsibility Duane Butherus addressed concerns with respect to gaps in the Misconduct and Rules. The Event Committee regulations only deal with people, except for the references to Ch. 11, Sec. 8 of the Rules. These situations do not happen often because usually there are no unentered dogs. If Event Committee tries to take care of misbehavior outside the ring or a dog is threatening there is no way to address it. Duane felt that staff and the delegates should be involved in working on this. This needs to be pulled together into the book. Item 13 Report from DQ Appeal Subcommittee

5 Dog Show Rules Committee Page 5 of 5 June 12, 2017 Cindy Miller noted that there was no report from Cindy Stansell. It was agreed to remove this from the agenda. Item 14 Canine Flu It was noted that there had been a lot of s on the delegate elist about this. Cindy Miller noted that Ch. 11, Sec. 9 covers this. There is no need for discussion or further action. Item 16 - Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America Request Anne Bowes read the Parent Club s request that the Rules be amended to permit altered veterans to enter Best of Breed class at independent specialties only. She noted that the Parent Club Committee voted unanimously to send this proposal to the DSRC. There were concerns raised about judging breeding stock and animal rights issues. The point was made that it should be an opt-in option, rather than like the NSS major reserve which is automatic unless you opt out. The following language was proposed by Linda Flynn: Neutered Veteran dogs and spayed Veteran bitches who are Champions of Record shall be allowed to enter the Best of Breed Class at independent specialty shows. The Parent Club may opt in and notification must be printed in the Premium List only if the club is offering this option. If the club will offer this option, the Premium List must specify a minimum Veteran age. Johnny Shoemaker noted that we have discussed this spay/neuter issue many times and have met with opposition due to the animal rights issues. Robert Schroll noted that this impacts and alters the appearance of many breeds of dogs giving them an unfair coat advantage. Anne Bowes was requested to look at Ch. 11, Sec. 8 and draft wording for the Committee s consideration. Anne Bowes and Peter Piuz will work on the language and resubmit it to Linda Flynn in August. Item 12- Ch. 11, Sec. 15 Interpretation of the Rule Barbara Schwartz noted that at a recent Event Committee hearing, the committee members felt threatened. AKC was asked to ban the people involved from future AKC events for the club involved and the request was denied. Barbara requested that a subcommittee look at this and have it clarified. Johnny agreed, noting his experience as a former superintendent. This would be helpful to superintendents as well as clubs. Barbara noted that it is also on the entry form so the Rule needs to be reviewed and clarified. Harvey noted there is a difference between applying suspensions to one event or all events. It is a difficult concept to cover. A suspension is for all events for a specified period of time as opposed to this person from all our events for all time, while they are in good standing with AKC. This would require an overhaul of discipline. Robert Schroll asked if the Board would let a club decline future entries if a police report was filed. Sue Goldberg noted it seems important to preserve safety of the people involved, and something needs to be done to do that. Cindy appointed Barbara to chair a subcommittee consisting of Sue Goldberg, Harry Miller, Robert Schroll and Johnny Shoemaker. David Powers noted that you also need to have protection against personal conflicts.

6 Dog Show Rules Committee Page 6 of 6 June 12, 2017 Other business: Sue Goldberg reported that Pattie Proctor did a wicket and scale demo, and said in some circumstances there is not a battery-operated scale available, so it may need to be plugged in. If scale is only at superintendent s tent, it may not be easy to use. Sue would like to have a scale available at ringside. She will work on this with Barbara Schwartz. Cindy Miller noted that the September meeting will be a morning meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Linda Flynn, Secretary