Showsight - August 2021

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? A LEARNING EXPERIENCE—HOPEFULLY

MOST OWNERS MAKE SURE THAT AT LEAST THEIR RABIES SHOTS ARE CURRENT, AND KEEP THEIR DOGS’ WORMING SCHEDULE CURRENT FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR DOGS AND OTHERS AT SHOWS.

The next day, “Barbie” took “Penny” to her veterinarian, who upon examination, ascertained that “Penny” had hookworms, was underweight by five pounds, had not had a valid rabies inoculation for several months, and gave her a rating of 4 out of 9 for condition. THE HEARING The “Club” held a bench committee hearing that “Barbie” and her husband, and “Lola” and her assistant “Debra” (but not Becky), attended. The “Club” had the report that “Penny” had been without rabies protection, and the “Show Veterinarian” had advised that if she had a dog at a show without rabies protection, she would have it removed from the show. The “Club” emphasized that “Barbie” had not asked for the “Show Vet,” the “AKC” Rep or the Handler, and that “Barbie” had acted on her own. The “Club” decided that the “Club” did not have to advise other entrants that there had been a dog there without a valid rabies inoculation and, therefore, should have their dogs checked. The Bench Committee decided that “Bar- bie” was guilty of “disrupting a dog show” and suspended her, send- ing the finding to the Staff of the “AKC” to determine the length of the suspension, amount of fine, and anything else that went with it. Any suspension would affect “Barbie,” her husband (even though he was not charged), her dogs currently being campaigned, and four other dogs she co-owned. If the suspension was longer than 30 days, “Barbie” and her group would not be eligible to attend the Mont- gomery show in October 2021. “Barbie” felt that she had done the right thing for “Penny,” the “Club,” and the “AKC” by removing a potentially dangerous dog from the show grounds where it endan- gered all animals and people in attendance. Had anyone contracted rabies, they potentially had a claim against the “Club” and “AKC.” “Barbie,” in fact, offered to ameliorate the situation by accepting a reprimand and a fine of $100. Most handlers carry each of their exhibits’ Certificate of Rabies Vaccination with them in case a state official demands it. Most owners make sure that at least their rabies shots are current, and keep their dogs’ worming schedule current for the health of their dogs and others at shows. THE DECISION The AKC decided, in its wisdom, that “Barbie” should be sus- pended for 30 days and fined $500, (paid immediately), hurting “Barbie’s” reputation and concluding that, perhaps, she should have been more restrained. However, most importantly, she and her group will be able to attend the Montgomery show. QUESTION What would you do in this situation? Was the Bench Committee correct in finding “Barbie” guilty of interfering with a show? Should the “Club,” or “AKC,” decide that “Becky” and “Lola” did anything wrong in showing a dog that had no valid Rabies vaccination? And should there be a punishment of “Becky” or the Handlers for showing a dog without a rabies vaccination?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR D. Jay Hyman wanted to be a veterinarian from the time he was very young and started reading dog books. He began collecting a Dog Library at the age of eleven. Jay went to the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) and Harvard Law School, and during his career he specialized primarily in real estate. Upon retirement, he engaged in a specialty of representing people involved in the showing of dogs, including mediating disputes between owners, or backers, of dogs. Jay starting breeding Wire Fox Terriers when he was eleven years old. After he became married and a father, he started breeding Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 1959, when they were a new breed. He has continued through the present time. Jay has also bred Whippets, Greyhounds, English Bull Terriers, and Australian Cattle Dogs. In 1987, Jay started judging for AKC. He currently judges the Hound and Herding Groups, Bull Terriers, and Best in Show. He has judged internationally, including in Australia. Jay has written extensively on dogs and legal-related matters.

142 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021

Powered by