2019-12 Fedco Minutes
Issued on 09.01.2020
KENNEL UNION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL HELD ON SATURDAY, 30th NOVEMBER & SUNDAY, 1st DECEMBER 2019 COMMENCING 08h30 ON SATURDAY AT SUNSQUARE, CAPE TOWN
1. ATTENDANCE, APOLOGIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attendance:
Clr CJL Griffith (Chairman of the Federal Council) - CG
Clr JM Hubbard (Vice-Chairman of the Federal Council & Chairman – NAPC) – JH
Clr CM Immelman (Vice-Chairman – DOGSPC) – CI
Clr RD Juckes (Chairman - FS&NCPC) - RJ
Clr G Morison (Chairman – KZNPC) - GM
Clr BG Robinson (Chairman – DOGSPC) – GR
Clr DC Sparg (Chairman – EC&BPC) - DS
Clr L Thornhill (Chairman – WCPC) - LT
Clr L Wilson (Chairman – Exco) – LW
Staff in Attendance:
Mrs P Midgley (General Manager) – PM
Ms SA Thornberry (Secretary) – ST
Mr K Farmer (Office Manager) - KF
Mrs A Bastick (Shows Department) – AB (Saturday)
Invited Guest:
Brig Gen NJ du Preez (KUSA Legal Adviser) – NdP (from 09h45 on Saturday)
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present. He extended a special word of welcome to the four new Federal Council Members, Clrs Ron Juckes, Gael Morison, Dudley Sparg and Lori Thornhill.
With nine Federal Councillors present, the Chairman declared a two-thirds majority for the changing of Articles and Schedules to be six, whereas five constituted a simple majority required for other decisions.
The Chairman requested all present to stand and observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of the following persons who had passed away since the last Fedco meeting:
Peter Barnard (EC), Gill Whittal (GAU), Eric Stanley (GAU), Edith Hogg (KZN), George Patey (GAU), Margaret Mcara (GAU), Roy Furnell (GAU), Tina Jarvis (GAU), Louise Arnesen (W Cape), Jane Dalton (EC), Claudia Ruis (GAU), Hannelore Kallerhoff (GAU), Maureen Campbell (KZN), Tienie Minny (GAU) and James Mollentze (W Cape).
2. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 & 30 June 2019 were formally adopted and confirmed, unanimously.
Proposed JH, seconded LW
3. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
3.1. Annual Report by the Chairman
The Chairman presented his Annual Report.
3.2. Declaration of Interests – Fedco Members Article 12.5
The Article reads:
“ Any member nominated to sit on the Federal Council, Executive Committee of the Kennel Union as well as the Executive Members (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer) of any Provincial Council of the Kennel Union, shall declare within one (1) month of appointment to the Secretary in writing all their interests, of whatsoever nature, in dog related activities. Where the governing body of the Kennel Union, or such person or persons to whom the authority is delegated, determine that any interests are in conflict with those of the Kennel Union, such nominated members’ appointment shall ipso facto be terminated. ”
The declarations of interests submitted by Fedco Members were considered and it was resolved, unanimously, that none of the interests declared constituted a material conflict with the activities, or interests, of KUSA.
Proposed JH, seconded CG
3.3. Declaration of Interests – Exco Members Article 12.5
The declarations of interests submitted by Exco Members were considered and it was resolved, unanimously, that none of the interests declared constituted any conflict with the activities or interests of KUSA.
Proposed JH, seconded CG
3.4. Audited Balance Sheet, Accounts and Auditors’ Report for the Year Ended 31.08.2019
The above documents had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After discussion it was
resolved, unanimously ,
that the above Annual Financial Statements be approved.
Proposed JH, seconded GM
A 13th cheque for the staff, based on fifty (50) per cent of salaries, was approved, unanimously, as were discretionary salary increases, upon completion of appraisals.
Proposed GR, seconded CG
3.5. Election of Auditor
The current Auditors were Sprigg Abbott Inc.
Resolved, unanimously ,
that Sprigg Abbott Inc. be re-elected as Auditors.
Proposed CI, seconded RJ
3.6. Article 16.2.2
3.6.1. Election of Chairman of the Federal Council and Election of President – Article 16.2.2.1
The current Chairman, Clr CJL Griffith, would be retiring on 31.12.2020.
The current President, Mrs DE Powell, would be retiring on 31.12.2020.
Noted.
3.6.2. Election of Vice-Chairman (of the Federal Council) – Article 16.2.2.2
The current Vice-Chairman, Clr JM Hubbard, was due to retire on 31.12.2019
Clr JM Hubbard was re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Federal Council, nem. con.
Proposed LW, seconded GR
3.6.3. Election of Patron – Article 16.2.2.3
Mr GR Eva was the current Patron.
Mr GR Eva was re-elected as Patron, nem. con.
Proposed GR, seconded JH
3.6.4. Election of Life Members – Article 16.2.2.3
List of Life Members:
Mrs JD Barrow
Brig Gen NJ du Preez
Mr GR Eva
Mr CJL Griffith
Mrs JM Hubbard
Mr C Huyzers
Mrs CM Immelman
Mr RB Jenkins
Mrs S Palmer
Mrs DE Powell
Mr DC Sparg
Mr BG Robinson
Mrs L Wilson
Adv R Zeeman
It was resolved at Fedco 06-2018, that Exco Members would be rewarded with Life Membership after four (4) years’ service. The same applied to Fedco Members.
Clr RD Juckes had completed four years of service as a member of Exco in November 2019.
It was resolved, unanimously, that Clr RD Juckes be elected as a Life Member of KUSA.
Proposed GR, seconded DS.
JH enquired what criteria were applied when electing persons to Life Membership of KUSA. GR responded that, from his understanding, this honour was reserved for persons who had served KUSA for an extensive period on the two Committees responsible for the organisation’s governance – Fedco and Exco. From recent decisions taken by Fedco, it would appear that such “extensive period” was considered to be at least four (4) years.
There was general concurrence with GR’s view and it was decided, unanimously, to adopt a term of at least four (4) years’ service on either Fedco, or Exco, as a suitable and currently the only criterion for bestowing Life Membership on a person who had served KUSA in a voluntary capacity at the highest level of governance.
Proposed GR, seconded DS
3.6.5. Election of Life Vice-Presidents – Article 16.2.2.3
List of current Life Vice-Presidents:
Mr GR Eva
Mr NS Kay
Mrs S Palmer
Mrs DE Powell
Dr HRA van der Merwe
No new Life Vice-Presidents were elected.
3.6.6. Election of Vice-Presidents – Article 16.2.2.3
No Vice-Presidents were due to retire on 31.12.2019.
Due to the sterling work she had done in KwaZulu-Natal over the years, it was agreed, unanimously, that Adrienne Olivier, the founder of Funda Nenja – also known as “the dog lady” - should be elected as a Vice-President of KUSA for the ensuing four years, until 31.12.2023.
Proposed LW, seconded CI
Discussion indicated that it would be appropriate for KUSA to institute a Lifetime Achievement Award to honour persons who had devoted their time and talents to promoting the interests of dogs and encouraging responsible dog ownership.
GM and LT offered to formulate criteria for a Lifetime Achievement Award and to revert to Fedco 06-2020 with a proposal.
Noted.
3.6.7. Appeals Committee – Article 16.2.3
“The Federal Council shall nominate at least three (3) members of the Federal Council, who shall act as an Appeals Committee on behalf of the Federal Council to consider any appeals lodged in terms of the Disciplinary Rules.”
Note: It was customary for all Federal Councillors to be elected to the Appeals Committee. Three members were appointed to consider Appeals when necessary.
Noted and Confirmed.
3.7. Loss of Affiliation – Article 9
Note: The following ruling was made at Fedco 06-2017:
“Effective 01.01.2018, no licences would be issued for either Championship, or Non-Championship, Shows, unless Clubs were up to date with all returns required in terms of the KUSA Constitution.”
The following ruling was made at Fedco 12-2017:
“Clubs that fail to comply with the provisions of Articles 9.1.3 and 9.1.4 for a period of eighteen months from the Fedco Meeting where the breach was reported, would be recommended for disaffiliation.”
3.7.1. Article 9.1.3
“Failure to submit Minutes of Annual and/or Special General Meetings together with audited Financial Statements and Balance Sheets where applicable in terms of Article 8.6.2.”
Information would be tabled prior to the meeting.
Districts of Gauteng & Surrounds Provincial Council (DOGSPC)
Gundog Club – Financial Year-End 31 Dec 2018 - AGM Minutes received. Signed Audited Financial Statements outstanding.
Highveld Whippet Club - Financial Year-End 30 Apr 2019 - No documents received. Banking issues resolved. Meeting pending. Club advised that there was very little interest currently. There had been a decline in Whippet entries at Shows. One member of the Committee had passed away, another had been ill and yet another had left the country. The Club had lost its Championship show-holding status as a result.
Pekingese Association - Financial Year-End 30 Jun 2019 - No documents received. Club advised that its Financial Statements had been audited, but as yet no meeting had been held. No further response.
Pretoria Toy Dog Breeders’ Club - Financial Year-End 30 Jun 2019 - No documents received. No response.
SA Bulldog Club - Financial Year-End 28 Feb 2019. No documents received. Financial Statements completed. AGM pending.
Northern Areas Provincial Council (NAPC)
Nördlicher Verein Für Deutsche Hunde Rassen (German Breeds Club) - Financial Year-End 31 Dec 2018. No documents received. No response.
Yorkshire Terrier Club of Gauteng - Financial Year-End 28/29 Feb 2019. No documents received. Communication received on 14 Nov 2019 advised documents would be sent shortly. Awaited.
Western Cape Provincial Council (WCPC)
Cape Welsh Corgi Club - Financial Year-End Dec 2018. No meeting held. No full Committee. Closure pending.
(Unable to amend Constitution as there were insufficient members to attain a quorum.)
Noted.
Councillors to follow up with the Clubs in their areas.
3.7.2. Article 9.1.4
“9.1.4 Failure to adhere to Kennel Union Constitutional requirements in respect of:
9.1.4.1 Any event to be held, being held, or which was held under a Kennel Union licence
9.1.4.2 Schedule of Documents and Returns to be sent to the Secretary of KUSA, Schedule 8.”
Information would be tabled prior to the meeting.
Clubs in default up to the end of October:
DOGSPC
Transvaal HPR Field Trial Club - 6 Oct – Natural Ability - levies and results.
NAPC
Northern Transvaal Bull Terrier Club - Non-Championship Show levies for Show held on 07/09/2019.
Northern Transvaal Bull Terrier Club - Penalty of R774.00 - due by 05/11/2019.
Noted.
3.7.3. Article 9.2
The following Clubs’ Affiliation Fees had not been paid for the ensuing year and they had consequently been removed from the list of Affiliated Clubs in terms of this Article:
Eastern Boxer Club (GAU) - Club closed and funds donated to the FBCSA BC.
Pug Club of Gauteng (GAU) – The Club needed to be informed that, unless it would be seeking reinstatement within the permissible period, it ought to wind up its affairs in terms of the dissolution clause in its Constitution.
Free State Agility & Dog Training Club (FS)
Grand Central Utility Breeds Club (GAU) - Club closed and funds donated to Goldfields Grounds.
Noted.
3.8. Revision and Harmonisation of Provincial Councils Constitutions (Fedco 12-2017 item 7.19, Fedco 06-2018 item 3.8, Fedco 12-2018 item 3.9, Fedco 06-2019)
Proposed new Provincial Council Constitution drafted by GR, checked and approved by NdP, to be tabled.
JH read the briefing document and it was agreed that, due to the geographical separation of the main centres in their provinces, GR was authorised to include a clause to allow virtual meetings for the EC&B and FS&NC Provincial Councils only. There was no necessity for such accommodation in DOGSPC, NAPC or KZNPC. With regard to the WCPC, it was agreed that accommodation should be made for the Clubs in Oudtshoorn and George to participate in meetings by virtual means, if required. GR offered to complete the various Provincial Councils’ Constitutions, once the approved amendments have been included.
It was directed by Fedco that the new Provincial Councils Constitutions should be adopted by the various Provincial Councils before Fedco 06-2020, unless there were compelling reasons not to do so. Should clarifications or procedural guidance be required, Provincial Council Chairmen were advised to contact GR before the end of April 2020.
Agreed, unanimously .
Proposed CI, seconded JH
Regarding the verification of KUSA membership of Club Officers and Council Officials, it was the responsibility of the Provincial Councils to monitor the currency of memberships of the Club Chairmen,Vice-Chairmen, Treasurers and all persons vested with signing powers on the Club’s bank accounts , as well as the Clubs’ Representatives/Alternates (on the Council), all of whom were required to be members in good standing of KUSA. GR advised that the most efficient way of monitoring memberships was to record the names of the elected Officers per Club – i.e. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer – on a spreadsheet with the following information: Initials and Surname,Office held,Email Address,Mobile No.,KUSA Membership No. andKUSA Membership Renewal Date. Memberships expire of the 15th of each month (the member’s joining month) and lapse on the 15 th, one month later. Provincial Councils should therefore check on the 15th of each month on memberships of Club Officers and Council Officials that expire on that date and those that lapse on that date in order to intervene by way of reminders, or suspensions.
Zainoe Petersen at the KUSA Office had been designated the task of checking the renewals of memberships of Club Officers and Council Officials (Representatives/Alternates) when requested to do so by any Provincial Council. Zainoe was available on email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
GR said that if anyone was interested in a template of the spreadsheet maintained by DOGSPC, he would gladly provide it.
Noted.
3.9. By-laws of Provincial Sub-Committees (Fedco 12-2017 item 7.20, Fedco 06-2018 item 3.10, Fedco 12-2018 item 3.9)
GR informed the members of Fedco that he would call for all the By-laws (alternatively Terms of Reference) of the various Provincial Councils in due course in order to complete this project.
Work in progress.
3.10. Codes of Conduct (Fedco 06-2018 item 7.30, Fedco 12- 2018 item 3.10, Fedco 06-2019 item 3.6)
3.10.1. Code of Conduct for Elected or Appointed Officials of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa – Proposed new Code
The document was approved at Fedco 06-2019 and GR had since sent the final version to the KUSA Office. This Code was ultimately destined to form Appendix “A” to Schedule 9, once the latter had been approved.
Noted.
Effective 01.04.2020, should the new Schedule 9 (item 3.10.2 below) be approved.
3.10.2. Code of Conduct for Members of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) - Schedule 9)
The agenda invited comment on the proposed new Code.
The KUSA Office had brought an issue to the attention of the drafters regarding the obligation of breeders to alert purchasers/acquirers of puppies/dogs to the fact that the breeder would be placing an endorsement, or had placed an endorsement, on the Certificate of Registration and Certified Pedigree of the puppy/dog. Such endorsement would customarily take the form of either “N/P” (Progeny not for Registration), or “N/E” (not eligible for an Export Pedigree). It was recommended to Fedco members that they consulted The Kennel Club’s Guide on Endorsements, thereby to inform themselves on how this matter was being dealt with in other countries. In its Guide on Endorsements, The Kennel Club directs as follows:
“In order to comply with The Kennel Club Rules on placing endorsements, the KC requires that the dog be in the physical possession of the endorser and that they obtain a written agreement, ideally in the form of a private contract, signed by the new owner to acknowledge that they have been informed that an endorsement has been placed. If endorsements are being used, it is helpful to both parties if the contract mentions why these have been placed and under what conditions they would be removed (if at all). This contract must be signed and dated by the purchaser showing that they have been informed of the endorsement prior to or at the date of the sale. Even if the breeder chooses not to draw up a full contract, there must still be a document stating which endorsements have been placed, signed by the purchaser.”
Fedco agreed, unanimously, that, in view of the above, the following additional Regulation ought to be inserted into the above Code at 4.15 and the rest sequentially renumbered:
4.15 ensure that new owners of puppies/dogs acquired from them shall be informed in writing, preferable by private contract, signed by both parties, that the Registration Certificate of the puppy/dog has been/would be endorsed, which the new owner needs to acknowledge.
Additionally, for purposes of the Code, NdP thought that the Federal Councillors should apply their minds to the increasing problem of the use of narcotics and illegal substances by individuals on the showgrounds. He deemed the use of such substances inappropriate in an environment where children roamed freely and Fedco agreed, unanimously, that the following provision should be made at a new 5.4 and the rest be renumbered sequentially:
5.4 refrain from using narcotics or illegal recreational drugs at any KUSA-licensed Show, or event, and sharing such substances with competitors or other attendants.
NdP further touched on the contentious issue of alcohol abuse at shows, which was often the cause of ringside skirmishes, and even brawls. He was fully aware that alcohol was often sold at Show venues and that people brought their own alcoholic refreshments to a Show, but cautioned that over-indulgence could result in serious incidents when ringside skirmishes flared up.
Fedco was of the unanimous view that, in the interest of the safety of exhibitors, the Code should provide for rambunctiousness and alcohol-fuelled aggression and it was agreed, unanimously, that a new 5.5 should be inserted as follows and the rest be renumbered sequentially.
5.5 consume alcohol at any KUSA-licensed Show, or event, moderately and never permit their reasoning or judgment to become impaired by alcohol consumption, thereby becoming a nuisance to others, possibly resulting in acts of disorderliness, or aggression.
The Chairman enquired whether there were any further questions, or comments, on the Code of Conduct for Members of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa . None were raised and the Chairman thanked GR and NdP for the work they had done on the document and called for a proposer and a seconder for its adoption.
The new Schedule 9 was approved, unanimously,
subject to the three amendments set out above.
Proposed CG, seconded CI
Effective 01.04.2020
GR reminded Fedco that the Code of Ethics for Members of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (Schedule 9) , once effective, would have two Annexures: Annexure “A” – Code of Conduct for Elected or Appointed Officials of the Kennel Union of South Africa and Annexure “B” – Code of Conduct and Practice for Judges Licensed by the Kennel Union of South Africa .
GR undertook to scrutinise the Code and its two annexures a final time before submitting them to the KUSA Office for upload. He also reminded the members of Fedco that KUSA’s Codes were intended to be “living documents”, open to regular update, or amendment, as certain situations, not initially foreseen, were brought to the attention of Fedco members. He appealed to all present to constantly “test” the Codes against actual occurrences, or situations and, should lacunas be identified, to propose insertions, or amendments, to fill them at the earliest opportunity.
Noted.
3.10.3. Code of Conduct for Club Officials – Proposed new Code
To be carried forward to Fedco 06-2020
Work in progress. (GR)
3.11. Duties of a Club Show Manager (Fedco 12-2017 item 7.12. Fedco 06-2018 item 3.12, Fedco 12-2018 item 3.12. Fedco 06-2019 item 3.8)
New Guide for Show Managers and Trial Managers attached to agenda .
The Chairman thanked JH for her work on this document, which has been in gestation for some years.
It was noted and confirmed that, although the Show Manager was required to be a Member of KUSA he, or she, was not required to be a member of the show-holding Club. GR mentioned that Point 3.6.1. of the Guide had been queried at the DOGSPC meeting, since it was deemed to be prejudicial to Specialist Clubs. He had requested the objection to be set out in writing so that it might be brought to the attention of JH. JH requested that any further queries, or comments, pertaining to the Guide should be forwarded to her as soon as possible, so that the document may be finalised.
Subject to the above considerations, the adoption of theGuide for Show Managers and Trial Managers was agreed, unanimously, for dissemination to Clubs and for upload to the KUSA website under the most appropriate sub-directory.
3.12. FCI
3.12.1. FCI – Non-Mandatory Commissions
As agreed at Fedco 12-2015, representatives should either be Fedco Members, Conveners of National Sub-Committees, or persons deemed suitable by Fedco. Appointees needed to have a thorough knowledge of the Discipline/subject in question.
The following persons were appointed, or re-appointed, to serve as KUSA’s representatives on the FCI’s Non-Mandatory Commissions:
Agility – Mr Rob Hall
Breeding – Clr Chris Griffith
Canicross – Mr Kyle Farmer
Dog Dancing – Ms Kathy Clayton
Flyball – Ms Liesl Twyman
Rally Obedience – Mr Tinus van der Vyver
Rescue Dogs – Mrs Robyn Harflett
Shows – Clr Jenny Hubbard
Show Judges – Clr Gael Morison
Utility Dogs – Mr John Rautenbach
Youth – Ms Andria Haskins
Education and Public Relations – Clr Lori Thornhill
Mondioring – Clr Jenny Hubbard
Noted and Agreed, unanimously.
3.12.2. World Dog Show 2020 Madrid
LW reminded Fedco that, since the FCI’s General Assembly only took place every second year, the 2020 World Dog Show in Madrid would not be accompanied by a General Assembly. It would therefore not be necessary for KUSA to be represented at 2020 WDS.
3.12.3. Asia, Africa and Oceania (A2O) Section of the FCI
JH reminded Fedco that KUSA had become a member of the above Section of the FCI with effect from the date of the FCI’s General Assembly in Shanghai, China, i.e. on 20 April 2019. From that date, KUSA became eligible to avail itself of the certain concessions permitted to the A2O Section by the FCI.
On 4 October 2019, Mr Joselito Rosales, General Manager of the Philippine Canine Club, Inc., advised KUSA on behalf of the President of the Asia, Africa and Oceania Section, Mr Augusto Benedicto Santos III, that the following FCI concessions applied to the A2O Section:
FCI International Champion
· 4 CACIBs (no matter the number of countries)
· CACIBs to be awarded by four (4) different Judges from three (3) different countries
· No Working Tests or Working Trials for dogs from Groups 1 to 8
· No period of one (1) year and one (1) day between awards
A further flexibility permitted to the section was:
Optional Seven Groupings at International (CACIB) Shows
The following combinations applied:
· Groups 7 & 8
· Groups 4, 6 & 10
JH argued that these concessions needed to be enshrined in Schedule 3A and proposed a new Regulation 5:
5. Asia, Africa and Oceania (A2O) Section of the FCI
KUSA became a member of the above Section of the FCI with effect from the date of the FCI’s General Assembly in Shanghai, China, i.e. on 20 April 2019. From that date, KUSA became eligible to avail itself of the following concessions permitted to the A2O Section by the FCI.
5.1 FCI International Champion
4 CACIBs (no matter the number of countries)
CACIBs to be awarded by four (4) different Judges from three (3) different countries
No Working Tests or Working Trials for dogs from Groups 1 to 8
No period of one (1) year and one (1) day between awards
5.2 Optional Seven Groupings at International (CACIB) Shows
The following combinations apply:
Groups 7 & 8
Groups 4, 6 & 10
It was agreed, unanimously, to amend the Schedule as envisaged by JH.
Proposed LW, seconded JH
Effective 01.04.2020
3.13. Introduction of Voluntary DNA Parentage Verification when Registering a Litter (Fedco 06-2018 item 7.18, Fedco 06-19 item 3.10)
Introduction of gold-foiled Premier Registration Certificate – with the citation “Parentage DNA Verified” as well as a certificate with the citation “DNA Profiled” in blue foil (to be paid for).
CI tabled specimens of the certificates with the gold- and blue-foiled attestations. These certificates would obviously be over-printed with the registration details of the litter, or single dog, in the normal manner. A notice to inform members of the availability of the new certificates needed to be compiled by the KUSA Office and sent to CI by 15.01.2020, who would send on to Fedco Members for approval before upload to the KUSA website.
The price of the blue-foiled replacement Registration Certificate was discussed and it was decided to set a fee the same as for the re-issue of any other Certificate of Registration. The Subscription & Fees list needed to be updated accordingly and it was noted that staff-training would be required prior to implementation.
The above was agreed, unanimously.
Proposed CI, seconded LW
It was further agreed, unanimously, to publish the article by Dr Cindy Harper, Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, entitled For the Love of Dogs, on the KUSA website.
Proposed JH, seconded GR
3.14. Zimbabwe Kennel Club - Reciprocity (Fedco 06-2019 item 3.11)
It was decided that the arrangement between KUSA and the ZKC should be regulated by a Letter of Understanding, rather than by a formal Agreement. KF and LW undertook to draft such a Letter of Understanding in consultation with NdP and thereafter to write to the ZKC with a proposal to formalise the relationship.
Work in progress. (KF & LW).
PM appealed for a Fedco directive on what the Letter of Understanding to the ZKC was supposed to convey.
After discussion, it was agreed, unanimously, that KF should send the relevant documents to NdP to enable NdP to draft the envisaged Letter of Understanding to be sent by the KUSA Office.
Proposed LW, seconded DS
3.15. By-Laws of National Sub-Committees (Fedco 06-2019 item 5.11.2 last para)
At Fedco 12-2018, it was agreed that the National Sub-Committee By-laws be reviewed with regard to Provincial Council Representatives on National Sub-Committees being required to continue serving on the Provincial Council Sub-Committees for the full term of their service on the National Sub-Committee. There was general agreement that this matter needed to be investigated and that, if necessary, the By-laws of National Sub-Committees be amended to limit the term of National Representatives who resign from Provincial Sub-Committees.
Upon investigation, it was found that the National By-laws for Working Disciplines provided the following:
“At such meeting [the AGM ], where applicable and necessary, the members shall elect from amongst themselves a Convener who shall hold office for a period of four (4) years and who will retire at the close of the fourth meeting following their election, unless elected for a further term. Following election and for the term of his office the Convener shall continue to represent his Provincial [state Discipline] Sub-Committee” [emphasis provided].
GR mentioned that, in relation to the above, there was a body of opinion that an ex-National Convener would not be able to “continue to represent his Provincial Sub-Committee” if he/she had not been a member of it in the first place. Some, however, expressed the view that, at the time of the establishment of the National Sub-Committees, the thinking might have been to give Provincial Sub-Committees the latitude to appoint somebody outside of the Provincial Sub-Committee to represent it on the National Sub-Committee.
Fedco was requested to give a directive on the matter and the following was issued: “ Fedco was alerted to the fact that there was an apparent ambiguity in the National Sub-Committee By-laws, as well as in some of the Provincial Sub-Committee By-laws/Terms of Reference, as to whether a Provincial Sub-Committee’s representative on the National Sub-Committee needed to be a member of his/her Provincial Sub-Committee. In Fedco’s view, membership of the Provincial Sub-Committee was imperative for proper governance, since representatives of all KUSA Committees were at all times accountable to the Committees they represented, which accountability could not be enforced if they were non-members. ”
Fedco instructed GR to draft an amendment to the National By-laws to reflect Fedco’s directive, and it was agreed that such amendment would be officially sent by the KUSA Office to the Conveners of the various National Sub-Committees for adoption at their first practicable meetings. Fedco further directed that the Provincial Councils should instruct the Chairmen of their Sub-Committees to amend their Provincial By-laws/Terms of Reference to remove any doubt that their Provincial Representatives on the National Sub-Committees needed to be members of the Provincial Sub-Committees.
Approved , with one abstention
Proposed JH, seconded CI
3.16. Storage of Registration Certificate Booklets (1944 – 1986) (Fedco 06-2019 item 8.10)
KF to report.
KF informed Fedco that a quotation of around R10 000 had been obtained to digitise the information from old KUSA Gazettes. Fedco was satisfied that the quotation obtained by KF was reasonable and agreed, unanimously, that the digitisation project should go ahead.
Proposed LT, seconded DS
NdP cautioned KF that there were a number of digitisation options available and urged him to investigate all the formats before making a decision on the one best suited to KUSA’s requirements.
Noted.
3.17. KUSA Banking Arrangements
A new resolution was signed by Fedco in accordance with PM’s proposal.
4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1. Any Matters Related to the Articles
4.1.1. Article 2 Interpretation of Terms
4.1.1.1. Definition of a Specialist Club (Fedco 12-2017 item 7.6, Fedco 06-2018 item 4.1.2, Fedco 06-2019 item 4.1.1.1)
It was resolved at Fedco 12-2017 that the definition of Specialist Club might require amendment to provide for Grand Champion points earned at Specialist Clubs catering for breeds with multiple varieties.
The following amendment to Article 2 was proposed:
Insertion underlined.
“Specialist Club” means a Club, the objects of which include a welfare of, interest in, breeding of a recognised specific single pure breed of dog, or varieties of a specific pure breed of dog, which may include facilities for training of such dogs, in accordance with training tests approved for the breed, hold Breed Shows in terms of this Constitution, provide information on breeding and rearing such dogs and generally promote the Breed through Club activities in bringing breeders, members and other interested parties together to encourage interest and involvement in Club affairs to the betterment of the Breed concerned.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed CI, seconded RJ
Effective 01.02.2021
4.2. Any items Relating to Disciplinary Matters – Schedule 1
4.2.1. Case 03-2019 – KUSA vs Mr G Thompson
The following Case was finalised and full details reported to Fedco:
The DSC met on Tue 30.07.2019 by teleconference and, after careful consideration of all documentation, unanimously found the Respondent was guilty in terms of 4.1.1 and 4.1.1.2 of Schedule 1 with regard to his conduct at the KUSA Nationals Event held on Saturday, 1st June 2019, at Goldfields Showgrounds in that he verbally attacked Mrs L Wilson, a member of KUSA Classic Consultancy Team (KCCT) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of KUSA, in the presence of International Judge, Mr Gopi Krishnan, from Malaysia and other Officials and exhibitors at the Terrier Group Ring on the said day. He then further continued to verbally attack Mr BG Robinson, another member of the KCCT and Chairman of DOGSPC and a member of the Federal Council.
The DSC imposed the following penalties, which took effect on 19.08.2019 for three (3) years, two of which are suspended for five (5) years.
Rule 11.1.2:
Suspension or exclusion from taking part in, or having any connection with, or attending or participating or handling a dog at a Show, Obedience Class, Working Trial or Field Trial or other event held under KUSA licence, or from acting as an Officer of a Club;
NOTE:
The DSC confirmed that the above penalty only applies to the Respondent in his personal capacity and does not in any way apply to dogs that are owned and registered or recorded in his name, or owned and registered or recorded by him jointly, viz such dogs may be entered and exhibited at KUSA-licensed events, but without the presence of the Respondent.
Rule 11.1.5:
Disqualification from judging at, or taking part in the management of a Show, Obedience Class, Working Trial or Field Trial or other event held under a KUSA licence;
The initial 12 months of the above penalties are effective from 19.08.2019 (until 18.08.2020). The remaining twenty-four (24) months will be suspended for a period of five (5) years until 18.08.2024, on condition that the Respondent does not contravene any of the provisions as provided for in Rule 4 of Schedule 1 or any other provision in the KUSA Constitution, Rules and Regulations that would form the basis for a valid complaint in terms thereof during the period of suspension.
No appeal was lodged.
Noted.
4.2.2. Case 02-2019 – KUSA vs Mr L Kruger
GR confirmed that a settlement had been reached with Mr Kruger and that a joint statement had been posted on the KUSA website for a limited period in September 2019. The details of the settlement had been lodged with the High Court and there was nothing further to report on the matter.
Noted.
4.2.3. Schedule 1 Disciplinary Rules
Insert NEW Rule 11.1.8:
Any other penalty as may be provided for in the KUSA Constitution, Schedules, Rules and Regulations.
Motivation: To align Schedule 1 with the new Schedule 2 Regulation 12.
Agreed, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded JH
Effective 01.04.2020
4.3. Any Matters related to the Registration of Dogs – Schedule 2
4.3.1. Schedule 2 Regulation 12 – Refusal or Cancellation of Registration
Delete words in [ brackets with strike-through ] and insert words underlined:
Regulation 12.1
Notwithstanding anything in these Regulations contained, the Executive Committee may, in addition to the provisions of Schedule 1, Disciplinary Rules, Rule [ 8 ] 11.1, for good reason, decline to register or record any dog or its transfer and may cancel any registration or recording.
Regulation 12.2:
(Housekeeping, to inter alia, harmonise KUSA’s Regulations with the breeding directives of the FCI and the new Code of Conduct for Members of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa .)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 4 of this Schedule, KUSA reserves the right to refuse to register any litter whelped from a bitch within twelve (12) months of the date of birth of the dam. [ The decision of Executive Committee shall be final and binding ,] I [i] n cases claiming accidental mating or mating [ through ] due to extenuating circumstances, the reasons and circumstances set out in an affidavit shall be adjudicated by the Executive Committee, subject to appeal to the Federal Council.
Insert NEW Regulation 12.3:
Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 4 of this Schedule, KUSA reserves the right to refuse to register a third litter whelped from the same dam within an eighteen (18) month period. In cases claiming accidental mating or mating due to extenuating circumstances, the reasons and circumstances set out in an affidavit shall be adjudicated by the Executive Committee, subject to appeal to the Federal Council.
Insert NEW Regulation 12.4:
Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 4 of this Schedule, KUSA reserves the right to refuse to register a sixth litter whelped from the same dam. In cases claiming accidental mating or mating through extenuating circumstances, the reasons and circumstances set out in an affidavit shall be adjudicated by the Executive Committee, subject to appeal to the Federal Council.
Insert NEW Regulation 12.5:
Notwithstanding the provisions of Regulation 4 of this Schedule, KUSA reserves the right to refuse to register a litter whelped from a dam older than eight (8) years on the date of mating, unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate issued at the time of mating testifying that the dam was examined and found to be in peak breeding health.
Agreed, unanimously .
Proposed GR, seconded RJ
Effective 01.04.2020
The Chairman requested the Provincial Council Chairmen to bring these important Schedule 2 amendments to the attention of their Councils.
Noted.
4.4. Breed Standards Committee
Report to Fedco, including a list of Breeds of which the Breed Standards have changed since Fedco 06-2019 and a list of newly recognised Breeds for which Breed Standards have been adopted by KUSA since Fedco 06-2019, as prepared by the KUSA Office.
Following a further meeting with members of the Breed Standards Committee prior to Fedco 12-2019, PM completed a document entitled KUSA Office Procedures – Breed Standards Amendments to supplement the KUSA PROTOCOL FOR ADOPTING BREED STANDARDS. PM was satisfied that all areas of uncertainty had been discussed and clarified and that the process in dealing with Breed Standard changes should be seamless in future.
List of Breed Standards Amended/Revised under the KUSA Protocol:
Gundog
Kleiner Münsterländer (FCI)
Hound Group
Borzoi – Russian Hunting Sighthound (FCI)
Utility Group
German Spitz (Mittel) (FCI)
Working Group
Dogo Argentino (FCI)
Rottweiler (FCI)
Mastino Napoletano (FCI)
Hound Group
Azawakh (FCI)
Toy Group
Chinese Crested (KC UK)
Herding Group
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) (KC UK)
Hound Group
Bloodhound (KC UK)
Confirmed, unanimously .
Proposed GR, seconded CI
Effective 01.01.2020
The appointment of GM to replace LW on the Breed Standards Committee was agreed, unanimously.
Proposed GR, seconded CI
Effective immediately
4.5. Any Matters Relating to Shows & Schedule 3
4.5.1. Number of Dogs required for Championship Shows – Ruling on Moratorium (Fedco 06-2019 item 8.14)
The following was discussed at Fedco 06-2019:
Clarity was sought on whether Re-qualifying Shows needed to attain the required number of dogs as per Schedule 4A, or whether they were also covered by the moratorium in place for the minimum number of dogs to be present and exhibited in order to retain Championship Show-holding status. For instance, if a Championship Show held by a Specialist Club is required to have an entry of 20 dogs under Schedule 4A, but only achieved an entry of 18, under the moratorium, the Club retained Championship Show-holding status, provided it paid Show Entry Fees for 20 dogs. The question was, however, whether the same concession extended to Specialist Clubs that have lost their Championship status and needed to re-qualify by holding a Re-qualifying Show. If they did not achieve the required entry under Schedule 4A, could they pay the Show Entry Fees for the required number of dogs and be granted Championship show-holding status?
The matter was debated and it was generally felt that, if the moratorium were to be extended to Re-qualifying Shows, it needed to be conditional on the achievement of a minimum entry to preclude re-qualification on nonsensical numbers. It was decided that the current requirements should continue to apply to all Qualifying Shows until December 2019 and it was agreed, unanimously, that the NAPC should be charged with tabling a fresh proposal, covering both Qualifying and Re-qualifying Shows.
[Note: the moratorium remains in place until 31.12.2021. During the moratorium, Clubs we re required to pay the levy for the minimum numbers of dogs present and exhibited as per Schedule 3, even if fewer dogs than the prescribed minimum we re present and exhibited. If the number of dogs present and exhibited wa s greater than the prescribed minimum number as per Schedule 3, the levy w ould be payable for all the dogs exhibited. ]
Work in progress.
After discussion, it was confirmed, unanimously that the moratorium for Qualifying Shows applied equally to Re-Qualifying Shows; there was no difference between the two and the two terms were used interchangeably, depending on the circumstances.
Proposed GR, seconded CI
GR advised that he had already commenced work on clearing up the discrepancies in Schedule 4A and hoped to put forward a proposal to Fedco 06-2020.
Noted.
4.5.2. Judging Contract (J1) and possible consequences of Judges withdrawing from Judging Appointments (Fedco 06-2019 item 8.15)
It was recorded in Fedco 06-2019 Minutes that the current KUSA Judging Contract (J1) did not provide for all eventualities following a Judge’s withdrawal from a contracted appointment. For instance, it was not acceptable for a Judge to enter a dog, or handle a dog, at a Show from which he had withdrawn. An additional problem faced by contracting Clubs was the reluctance on the part of some contracted Judges, who had withdrawn from contracts, to refund prospective payments made to them to cover airfares.
It was agreed that J1 needed to be updated to prevent Judges from abusing the system, or financially prejudicing Clubs, once they’ve withdrawn from an appointment. Exco was charged with preparing the necessary amendments for tabling at Fedco 12-2019.
GR to review wording presented at informal discussion and revert to Fedco 06-2020 with a proposal for a J1 amendment.
To be carried forward to Fedco 06-2020 agenda.
Work in progress .
4.5.3. KUSA Championship Shows – Declining Entries – Second Championship Shows (Fedco 06-2019 item 8.19)
The following additional suggestions to curtail the number of 2nd Championship Shows were recorded in Fedco 06-2019 Minutes:
As far as possible, to restrict any licences granted in populous areas.
Where licences were justified, to permit no more than one extra Show per cluster weekend. There was no justification for turning a two-Show weekend into a four-Show weekend.
Decline permission for 2nd Championship Shows to Clubs which had been part of clusters prior to “divorce”; the example of Whale Coast and Overberg Kennel Clubs cited.
Reconsider 2nd (sometimes 3rd) Championship Shows granted to Specialist Clubs where the owners of exhibited dogs were not even required to be members of KUSA. To contain the proliferation of Shows of Specialist Clubs and the abundance of CCs on offer for certain Breeds, Exco might well consider a system of granting 2nd Championship Show licences to Specialist Clubs on a rotation basis.
There was probably also a good case to be made for a more stringent application of Schedule 3 Regulation 5.16: “Where a Club, for any reason whatsoever, has been unable to finalise its Draft Schedule twelve (12) weeks before the first day of the Show, no licence shall be issued for that event.”
The Chairman requested the Chairman of Exco to discuss the above and other suggestions with her Committee and to revert at Fedco 12-2019 with firm criteria to be applied by Exco in its future granting of 2 nd Championship Show licences.
Work in progress. Any further information will be tabled.
All-breeds Championship Shows for 2021:
In the ensuing discussion, LT made the point that additional Shows were required in some provinces, especially the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape, where some Clubs were struggling financially. She confirmed that additional shows were needed in the Western Cape, since the Clubs were disadvantaged by people no longer travelling. She was, however, mindful of the negative impact of a proliferation of Championship Shows and suggested that, when two Clubs shared a weekend, they could alternate hosting a third Championship Show and that the weekend should be limited to a three-show cluster.
CI made the point that, in Gauteng, 2nd Championship Shows of All-breeds Clubs have reduced to one as from 2020. She agreed with LT that no more than one 2nd Championship Show should be permitted per cluster. In this regard, it was important to note that there were three-day, even four-day, clusters in some Centres.
GR said that Clubs that have parted ways, as in the case of Whale Coast and Overberg Kennel Clubs, needed to be actively encouraged to get back together or, as LT had suggested, pair with other Clubs. Should they elect to continue as stand-alone Shows, they needed to know that, post 2020, only one of them would be permitted to host a 2nd Championship Show.
LT further suggested that a 2021 Championship Show calendar should be devised by the respective Provincial Councils to indicate which All-breeds Clubs were likely to apply for a 2nd Championship Show. In advance of stating their intention to apply for a 2nd Championship Show, Clubs should be informed that only one Club forming part of a cluster weekend would be considered for hosting an extra Show. Clubs that have split should also be aware that, unless they reunite, only one of them would be eligible for being granted a licence for an extra Show in any year.
LT advised that she would be holding a workshop in her province in January 2020, where it was her intention to set a calendar for the Western Cape. She recommended that other Provincial Councils did the same, so that the national calendar may be reviewed and finalised by Fedco. She stressed that, for the moment, her proposal only applied to All-Breeds Championship Shows.
As the holder of the Shows portfolio, CI undertook to coordinate the 2021 national calendar on behalf of all the Provincial Councils and the information about which Clubs would be applying for 2nd Championship Shows should be sent to her by the various Provincial Councillors before the end of February 2020. That would mean that the Provincial Council Chairmen needed to consult with the All-breeds Clubs in their provinces in the course of January 2020. Once finalised by the Provincial Council Chairmen of Fedco, the calendar would be released to Exco for dealing with the 2021 applications in accordance with the Fedco-approved calendar.
Exco was directed not to consider any requests for 2nd All-Breeds Championship Shows scheduled to be held in 2021 before the end of February 2020. AB was accordingly instructed to inform Clubs applying for 2021 2nd Championship Shows that their applications would only be tabled at Exco after February 2020.
The above procedure for the allocation of All-Breeds 2nd Championship Show licences in 2021 was agreed, unanimously .
Proposed CI, seconded LT
4.5.4. Schedule 3 – Changes – Various (Fedco 06-2018 item 3.4.1, Fedco 12-2018 item 4.5.3, and Fedco 06-2019 item 4.5.3).
As reported at Fedco 06-2018, Exco had identified various Regulations in Schedule 3 as requisite of alignment and harmonisation with the content of Schedule 1. The following changes to the Regulations in Schedule 3 were proposed:
Insert words underlined - delete words [ square brackets struck through ]:
Regulation 7 – Entry for Exhibition
Except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws applicable to a particular Discipline, only Members of the Kennel Union shall be entitled to enter and have dogs in their registered ownership compete in any Championship Dog Show, Championship Obedience Class, Championship Working Trial, Field Trial Championship Open Stake or Field Qualifier or any other Championship event, licensed by the Kennel Union, save for Breed Classes offered at Specialist Club Championship Shows, where entries will also be open to non-members.
All entries shall be submitted on an official KUSA entry form, fully completed and signed. Any alteration or amendment to the Declaration thereon shall invalidate the entry. The current Form shall be that appended to this schedule as Appendix 3. Only the current form or that immediately preceding it shall be accepted as official.
Entries must close at the time indicated in the Schedule which shall not be less than five (5) days and not more than thirty (30) days before the Show opens.
7.1 The Show Secretary shall be held responsible for reporting any known violation of Regulation 7, which may be dealt with under Rule 2, Disciplinary Rules (Schedule 1).
7.1.1 When an entry is submitted to a show holding club, a dog shall be solely and unconditionally the property of the Exhibitor and at the time of exhibition it shall be registered in the Exhibitor’s name at the Kennel Union, or at a registry formally recognised by the Kennel Union in a written agreement.
7.1.2 No dog shall be accepted for entry in a Championship Show where the registration number of the dog is omitted from the appropriate section of the Entry Form. Insertion of the letters “R.A.F.” or “T.A.F.” are not acceptable and will invalidate the entry.
7.2 In order to constitute a valid entry, the exhibitor shall complete in ink or typescript, in accordance with the provisions thereon and the Show Schedule, a separate entry form for every dog entered by him, which shall be signed by him or his authorised agent and shall be accompanied by the correct and appropriate fees within the time limitation for the closing of entries.
7.2.1 In the case of a partnership, the full name of every partner must be stated and in the case of a dog owned by a Limited Company, the Directors of the Company will jointly be considered as the exhibitors of the dog for the purpose of the Show Regulations.
7.2.2 In the case of a dog owned in partnership and entered in Member’s Classes, each partner must hold membership of the Club.
7.2.3 There would be no objection raised where, in the case of a partnership, one partner is authorised to sign and in the case of a Limited Company, a nominee is appointed to sign, such authorisation and nomination to be advised to the Secretary.
7.3 All entry forms shall be preserved by the Show Committee for twelve (12) months from the last day of the Show.
7.4 No officer of the Show-holding Club shall complete any entry form, except his own nor shall he alter or amend any entry form after the entry has been made, nor shall he permit the alteration if or amendment of any entry form after the entry has been made save and except for the correction of bona fide errors by exhibitors in entries for the Baby Puppy, Minor Puppy, Puppy, Junior and Graduate Classes in respect of age determination where such errors are discovered by the officers of the Show-holding Club after acceptance of the entries.
7.5 VOID
7.6 A Show Committee may reserve the right to refuse any entry and may exercise such right on good cause and reasonable grounds.
7.7 For the purposes of making an entry in estimating the number of prizes won, wins in Variety, Baby Puppy and Minor Puppy Classes do not count for entry in Breed Classes, wins at Non-Championship Shows and Match Meetings do not count, and wins at Championship Shows awarded after the date of entry do not count.
7.8 Within fifteen (15) working days after the completion [ closing date ] of a Show, the Show Secretary shall forward to the Secretary a list showing the total number of dogs entered and the total entries, together with fees as specified in Subscriptions and Fees (Schedule 7). After a period of two (2) months from the completion of the Show, a complaint may be lodged by the Secretary against the Club for non-compliance.
7.9 No person representing the Kennel Union in terms of Regulation 4 may enter, exhibit or handle a dog for competition.
7.10.1 A Judge may not enter a dog registered in his ownership in the same discipline on the same day at the same venue as he is officiating, save and except for Working Disciplines held under the licence of a different Club. Automatic disqualification of the dog(s) will apply and the Judge will be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1.
7.10.2 A Judge may not handle a dog in any discipline, save and except for Working Disciplines held under the license of a different Club on the same day at the same venue, as he/she is officiating. Automatic disqualification of the dog(s) will apply and the Judge will be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1.
7.11 N o Ring Steward may handle a dog on the same day as he/she is officiating before a Judge for whom he was stewarding, unless requested by the Judge to exhibit the entry. Automatic disqualification of the dog(s) will apply and the Ring Steward will be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1.
7.12 Any exhibitor who enters a dog after disqualification under Regulation 32 is liable to disciplinary action under Rule 2, Disciplinary Rules (Schedule 1).
7.13 Any entry form shall be forwarded to the Secretary whenever called for within twelve (12) months from the last day of the Show.
7.14.1 In the case of German Shepherd Dogs, in order to constitute a valid entry, at a Specialist Show, the dog’s microchip number must be entered on the Show Entry Form.
7.14.2 In the case of Rottweilers entered at Specialist Club Shows, all exhibits are to be positively identified by microchip in the marshalling area before entering the ring.
7.15 Any dog which has been exhibited contrary to these Regulations shall be liable to disqualification and cancellation of any awards gained, whether or not an objection has been lodged under Regulation 31.
Regulation 31 – Objections to Dogs and Disqualifications
31.1 Any person except a person under a term of suspension or disqualification imposed by the Federal Council may lodge an objection to a dog entered for, exhibited at or present and intended to be exhibited at a Show, subject to the limitation imposed by Sub-Regulation 31.3 hereof.
31.1.1 Any rectification of an award except as a result of a bona fide clerical error, cannot be raised later than twelve (12) months after the first day of the show.
31.2 Every objection lodged with the show holding Club under this Regulation shall be reduced to writing, delivered to the Show Secretary at the Show and shall be accompanied by a deposit in terms of Subscriptions & Fees (Schedule 7) in respect of each exhibit objected to, unless the objection is made by the Show Committee which shall not be required to lodge a deposit.
31.3 The grounds of objection made to a dog and immediate disqualification of such dog in terms of this Regulation shall be any one or more of the following:
31.3.1 That it has been improperly tampered with;
31.3.2 That it is blind;
31.3.3 That it is deaf;
31.3.4 that it is not entire, except for the Neuter Dog Class, it does not possess two testicles, apparently normal, which are both descended and can be felt in the scrotum;
31.3.5 that it is suffering from any form of contagious or infectious disease;
31.3.6 that it has been improperly prepared for exhibition in contravention of Regulation 38.5. Any contravention of this Regulation must be dealt with by the officiating Judge at his discretion.
31.3.7 that it has been entered in a manner not complying with the classification in the Show Schedule;
31.3.8 VOID
31.3.9 that it has been exhibited by a person disqualified or suspended by the Federal Council or the Executive Committee;
31.3.10 that it has been registered in the name of and owned by a person disqualified or suspended by the Federal Council or the Executive Committee;
31.3.11 that it has been entered contrary to these Regulations;
31.3.12 that it has been exhibited contrary to these Regulations;
31.3.13 that it has been operated upon in contravention of these Regulations;
31.3.14 that it has been registered or recorded as owned by an officiating Judge within a period of twelve (12) months prior to the Show, except in the case of a dog owned by the officiating Judge appointed in an emergency, in which case the disqualification of the dog will be automatic, without any liability incurred by the emergency-appointed Judge.
31.4 Upon receipt of a written objection and a deposit, the Show Secretary shall immediately notify the owner, exhibitor or handler in charge of the dog, who shall be obliged to take the dog, subject to objection, to a convenient place nominated by the Show Secretary for examination by a Veterinary Surgeon whenever such objection is based upon any of the grounds set out in Regulations 31.3.1 to 31.3.15. Following such examination, the Show Secretary shall obtain from the Veterinary Surgeon a written report on the dog examined. The Veterinary Report, together with the written objection and, in the case of an objection based upon any of the grounds set out in Regulations 31.3.6 to 31.3.8, the written objection and any supporting papers shall be investigated and considered by the Show Committee without delay.
31.5 The Show Committee shall make a finding on all the facts of such objection and in the event of a majority finding that the objection is upheld, the dog shall be disqualified with effect from the commencement of the Show. Notice of such finding shall be communicated without delay to the objector and the owner, exhibitor or handler in charge of the dog. The owner, exhibitor or handler of any dog so disqualified shall have the right to lodge an appeal in writing to the Executive Committee within fourteen (14) days, but such notice of appeal shall not operate as a bar on suspension of the Show Committee’s decision to disqualify a dog.
31.6 In the event of a majority of the Show Committee rejecting the objection, notice of such finding shall be communicated without delay to the objector and the owner, exhibitor or handler in charge of the dog, which shall be permitted to compete as if no such objection had been lodged.
31.7 Within twenty-four (24) hours of the Show closing, the Show Secretary shall forward a report to the Secretary setting out:
31.7.1 the name and address of the objector;
31.7.2 a copy of the objection;
31.7.3 the name and address of the owner and, where relevant, the name and address of the exhibitor or handler in charge of the dog at the Show;
31.7.4 the name and address of the Veterinary Surgeon who examined the dog, where applicable;
31.7.5 a copy of the Veterinary Surgeon’s report, where applicable;
31.7.6 any other supporting papers or relevant evidence.
31.8 Upon receipt of the Show Secretary’s report, the Executive Committee shall consider the Show Committee’s finding and any notice of appeal which may be lodged. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to confirm, quash or vary the Show Committee’s finding, subject to the limitation that the results of a Show following any disqualification imposed by the Show Committee shall not be amended in any way, in the event of such against the Show Committee at the instance of the owner, exhibitor or handler in charge of any dog against whom an objection was lodged, unless mala fides on the part of the Show Committee be proved . The Executive Committee shall have the right to rule, at its first practicable meeting, on minor complaints and shall be empowered to suspend, disqualify or impose a fine.
31.9 At the time of making its decision in terms of Sub-Regulation 31.8, the Executive Committee shall make an order relating to the deposit lodged by the objector in terms of Regulation 31.2. In the event of the objection being upheld, the Executive Committee shall order that the deposit be refunded to the objector by the Show Committee. In the event of the objection being rejected, the Executive Committee may order that the whole or any part of the deposit be awarded to the owner of the dog against which the objection was lodged and that any part not so awarded be refunded to the objector by the Show Committee.
31.10 In the absence of any objection being lodged by any person in terms of Regulations 31.1 and 31.2, the Show Committee shall nevertheless be empowered to act on its own initiative upon any of the grounds set out in Regulation 31.3, whereupon all the provisions of this Regulation shall apply mutatis mutandis.
31.11 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Regulation hereinbefore set forth, any person may make a complaint based on the grounds of objection set out in Sub-Regulation 31.3 within twenty-one (21) days after the closing of the Show, but in every such event a complaint shall be made and dealt with in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Disciplinary Rules (Schedule 1).
31.12 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Regulation hereinbefore set forth, in consequence of any decision made under this Regulation, the Executive Committee may instruct the Secretary to make a complaint under Rule 2 of the Disciplinary Rules (Schedule 1), where after it shall be dealt with in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Disciplinary Rules (Schedule 1).
Regulation 32 – Disqualification and Forfeiture of Prizes
32.1 If any one of the grounds of objection set forth in Regulation 31.3 is proved against and in respect of any dog, its entry fees may be forfeited to the Show holding Club and it may be disqualified from competition and winning any award or prize by: -
32.1.1 the Show Committee acting on an objection lodged in terms of Regulation 31;
32.1.2 the Show Committee acting on its own initiative in terms of Regulation 31;
32.1.3 the Executive Committee acting in terms of Regulation 31.
32.2 Whenever a dog or dogs are promoted in order of merit, as provided by Regulation 23, in consequence of a disqualification, notice thereof shall be given to the owner or owners by the Secretary.
32.3 The Executive Committee shall be empowered to publish in the Official Kennel Union Journal full details of every dog disqualified, including the name and address of the owner, exhibitor or handler in charge of the dog, and the nature of the objection giving rise to disqualification. The Executive Committee shall have further power to provide full details of every such disqualification to Affiliated Clubs, National or International Governing Bodies in reciprocity with or recognised by the Kennel Union and such persons as it shall deem fit. The owner of the dog disqualified must return any prizes and certificates awarded to the Show Secretary within twenty (20) days after the appeal period contemplated in Regulation 31.5 has passed.
Regulation 33 – Fines and Penalties
33.1 If a dog is entered in a class for which it is ineligible and it is not withdrawn from competition therein, or rectified by the Show Office before such class is judged, such dog shall be disqualified and the exhibitor may be fined at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
33.2 The Executive Committee shall have power to impose a fine upon any exhibitor who makes an error in his entry form or infringes any provision of these Regulations and withdraw any prizes awarded on the day.
33.3 In the event of any fine not being paid within the time stipulated by the Executive Committee, the exhibitor may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be dealt with as if a complaint brought under Kennel Union Disciplinary Rules, Rule 2 (Schedule 1), had been lodged against him and proved to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee.
Approved, unanimously ,
with the exception of the amendment to Regulation 31.8. This Regulation would be reworded by NdP and tabled at Fedco 06-2020.
Proposed JH, seconded RJ
Effective 01.04.2020
4.5.5. Foreign Judges with incomplete South African Groups (Fedco 06-2019 item 8.7)
The following was discussed at Fedco 06-2019:
Groups in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA sometimes did not correspond with the groupings in South Africa, resulting in visiting Judges from such countries occasionally not being qualified to judge all the Breeds in a South African Group. In the past, this had compelled Clubs to appoint a local Judge to do the “mop-ups”, i.e. judge the odd Breeds that the foreign Judge was unable to judge.
When judging in Australia, South African Judges were normally granted dispensation to judge Breeds they were not qualified for. There was support for the notion that, if Judges were qualified to a certain level, they should be granted dispensation by KUSA to judge the odd Breeds they were not qualified to judge in their home countries. There were, however, also some reservations expressed.
Fedco requested GR and LW to consider the matter and, if warranted, to present a proposal for consideration at Fedco 12-2019.
To be carried forward to Fedco 06-2020 agenda.
Work on progress. (GR, CI)
4.5.6. Exhibitors’ Personal Information (Email Address and Mobile No. published in Show Catalogues and subsequently published on KUSA Website ( Fedco 06-2018 item 7.21, Fedco 12-2018 item 3.12, Fedco 06-2019 item 3.7)
At Fedco 12-2018, CI had identified the requirement for a Question/Statement with tick-box to be inserted into the Show Entry Form. She undertook to attend to the amendment of the form as soon as possible after the meeting.
Work in progress (CI & PM)
On a request from GR, PM agreed that the KUSA Office would draft a revised Show Entry Form, Appendix 3 of Schedule 3, with the required tick-box.
Effective 01.04.2020
LW alerted Fedco to the fact that the contact details of South African Judges were not displayed on the FCI Judges’ Search. She would enquire about it, but suspected that it was due to European Union privacy regulations.
4.5.7. Schedule 3 Appendix 2 Breed Champion – Points
Housekeeping, to bring points allocation in line with revised definition of Specialist Clubs to include Clubs for Breeds with multiple varieties.
Insertions underlined and deletions in [ struck through square brackets ]
Breed Supreme and Grand Champion – Points
BREED-BASED POINTS:
First place in the Champions Class (after 1 February, 2017) 1 point
Best of Breed (after 1 January 2012) 2 points
Best [ of Breed ] in Show at Specialist Club Show (after 1 January 2012) [ 3] 1 point[ s] (in addition to 2 points for Best of Breed)
BONUS POINTS:
Best in Group (after 1 January 2012) 2 points
All Breeds Club Best in Show (after 1 January 2012) 2 points
All Breeds Club Reserve Best in Show (after 1 January 2012) 1 point
Group Club Best in Show (after 1 January 2012) 2 points
Points earned at any one Show would be cumulative
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed CI, seconded LW
Effective 01.04.2020
4.6. Any Matters Relating to Schedule 4 – Non-Championship Shows
4.6.1. Add NEW Regulation 30
Housekeeping:
Add NEW Regulation 30
Within fourteen (14) days after the completion of a Show, the Show Secretary shall forward to the Secretary a form showing the number of dogs entered and the total entries and including the breakdown of breeds and numbers judged by each Judge, together with the fees as specified in Subscriptions and Fees (Schedule 7).
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed JH, seconded LT
Effective 01.04.2020
4.7. Any Matters Relating to Schedule 4A – Qualifying Shows
4.7.1. Regulation 9 – Entry for Exhibition
Insertions underlined and deletions in [ struck through square brackets ]
Regulation 9.2:
Entries must close at the time indicated in the Schedule which shall not be less than [( 14) fourteen ] five (5) days and not more than [ fifty (50) ] thirty (30) days before the Show opens.
Motivation:
Housekeeping amendment to bring Regulation into alignment with Schedule 3.
Regulation 9.11:
Within fifteen (15) working days of after the completion [ the closing date ] of a Show, the Show Secretary shall forward to the Secretary a list showing the total number of dogs entered and the total entries, together with fees as specified in Subscriptions and Fees (Schedule 7).
Motivation:
Housekeeping amendments to change wording to “ after the completion of a Show” to be applied to Schedule 8 Regulations 2.7, 2.8 (Championship Shows), 3.7 & 3.8 Qualifying Shows.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded RJ
Effective 01.04.2020
In response to a request from the Terrier Club – Eastern Cape, the Federal Council granted permission by ‘round robin’ for the above amendment to be implemented immediately, since the Club’s closing date for its Re-Qualifying Show needed to be five days before the Show opened on 17.11.2019.
Ratified .
5. WORKING DISCIPLINES
5.1. Schedule 5A – Regulations for Obedience Classes
5.1.1. Report by NSC Convener – attached to agenda.
Noted with thanks.
5.1.2. Proposed New Schedule 5E (27) Regulations for the KUSA Regional Provincial Obedience Dog of the Year
Proposed Schedule submitted by the NSC attached to agenda, together with proposed Certificates for Bronze, Silver and Gold.
In the ensuing discussion, the decision made at Fedco 06-2019 was referenced:
“Fedco believed that this should be a Schedule 5E Event and not an Appendix to Schedule 5A. It was further suggested that, once the Regulations have been finalised, the competition ought to run for two years on a provisional basis to iron out any glitches. It should be noted that the KUSA Office would not be involved in administering the competition and that the competition needed to be self-funding.”
The proposed Regulations were agreed, in principle, on a provisional basis for two years, subject to the following amendments:
Heading – Delete “Regional” and insert “Provincial”
Clause 3.4:
The Convener of the National Obedience Sub-Committee must contact the KUSA Office with regard to the practicability of the Certificates, given Fedco’s decision as recorded above. Fedco confirmed that the KUSA Office would not be responsible for producing Certificates.
PM had identified various other areas requisite of amendment which she undertook to bring to the attention of the National Convener.
Subject to the above, the proposed Regulations were accepted, unanimously.
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020
5.1.3. Canine Good Citizen (CGC) (Fedco 06-2019 end of item 5.1)
The following was recorded at Fedco 06-2019:
It was noted that there was a great deal of confusion as to whom should be authorised to conduct CGC assessments on dogs issued with Temporary Exclusion Orders (TEOs). The entire CGC system was, in fact, in dire need of prescription of procedures and it was decided, unanimously, that Exco, in collaboration with CI and KF, should present a proposed procedures document for CGC assessment at Fedco 12-2019.
Work in progress.
Refer to discussion under 9.10.
5.2. Schedule 5B(1) – Regulations for Working Trials (Classic)
5.2.1. Report by Convener – received.
Noted with thanks.
5.2.2. Proposed amendments to Schedule 5B(1) and 5B(4) – attached to agenda.
Proposed amendments to Schedule 5B(1) submitted by NSC.
Approved, unanimously ,
subject to “Obedience & Trial Dog” being changed to “Dogsport”
Proposed JH, seconded GR
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020.
5.3. Schedule 5B(4) – Regulations for Working Utility Dog (WUD)
5.3.1. Report by Convener (see 5.2.1 above)
5.3.2. Proposed amendments to Schedule 5B(4) submitted by NSC
Approved, unanimously ,
subject to “Obedience & Trial Dog” being changed to “Dogsport”
Proposed JH, seconded GR
Effective 01.04.2020
5.4. Schedule 5B(2) – Regulations for International Working Trials and International Tracking Trials (IGP)
5.4.1. Report from NSC Convener – attached to agenda.
Noted with thanks.
5.4.2. Regulations for the KUSA IGP Annual Event (Meisterschaft) – Schedule 5E(06)
Proposed amendments to Schedule 5E(6) attached to agenda, together with NIGPSC Minutes for motivation.
Not accepted.
To be returned to NSC with a request to secure agreement from all the Provincial Councils, including the newly constituted DOGSPC Sub-Committee.
KF was charged with drafting a letter to be sent to the Convener of the NIGPSC.
5.5. Schedule 5B(3) – Regulations for Tracking Trials
Proposed change to Schedule 5B(3)
Housekeeping. Insertions underlined and deletions in [ struck through square brackets ]
Proposed change to 2.5 Record Cards
When competitors first compete in TT, they are to be issued by the organising club or issued by the Provincial TT Sub-Committee or where there is no Provincial TT Sub-Committee the card shall be issued by KUSA, with a KUSA TT Record Card. All further qualifying TT results, [ qualifying or not ,] will be duly recorded on this card and countersigned by the officiating Judge. Competitors who have obtained qualification for any particular TT grade through any other tracking Discipline, must prove the eligibility of their dogs based on a result which has been recorded on any relevant “working Record Card/booklet” issued by KUSA. Such qualification is copied onto the TT Record Card. Once qualified in one particular TT Grade, the dog cannot go back to a lower grade.
Motivation : Non-qualifications (or failures) are not recorded on Record Cards in Disciplines such as Obedience, Working Trials (Classic), Working Utility Dog, Agility or Dog Jumping and it could be demotivating to a handler to have failures recorded on their Record Card.
Proposed change to 3.12 Competition by officials at trials
A Judge at a trial may not enter or handle a dog in the same Discipline (Breed, Obedience, Working Trials, IGP [ IPO ], Dog Jumping and Agility, Carting, TT) as that in which he is officiating. A Judge at a show may not handle a dog in any discipline on the day(s) that he is officiating. This restriction does not apply in respect of another show held on the same day under a different licence, OR, if the show is split over two days/weekends under the same licence.
A KUSA representative may not enter, exhibit or handle a dog registered in his name at any KUSA-licensed event held at the same venue on the day(s) that he is officiating, nor in the same Discipline held under the same licence on any day. This restriction does not apply in respect of another Show held on the same day under a different licence, OR, if the show is split over two days/weekends under the same licence.
Motivation: This wording change a) brings this clause into alignment with that of Working Trials Classic (Schedule 5B(01)) and Working Utility Dog (Schedule 5B(04)); and b) allows more flexibility given the shortage of Judges at present.
Approved, unanimously ,
Proposed JH, seconded CI
Effective 01.04.2020
5.6. Schedule 5C – Field Trials
5.6.1. FTLC Annual Report – attached to agenda.
Noted with thanks.
5.6.2. Negotiations with National Field Trial Association (NFTA) - Update
GR provided some background to the new Federal Councillors on the ongoing negotiations with the NFTA and explained why the agreement, that had been in place since 12 January 2004, was no longer suitable for governing the relationship between KUSA and the NFTA. He stressed that there was no animosity between the two bodies; it was simply a case of seeking a solution to certain compliance issues under KUSA’s current Regulations and its more recently incurred obligations under its national and international affiliations.
GR and JH had met with Dr Bob Winter, Mrs Trudi Winter and Mr Deon Jordaan of the NFTA on Wednesday, 27 November, ahead of Fedco 12-2019, to discuss recent developments which concerned the NFTA. The KUSA team held firm on KUSA Regulations regarding KUSA membership of owners entering Championship events and dogs at KUSA-licensed events being KUSA-registered.
One sticking point was the mutual recognition, for purposes of officiating at each other’s events, of NFTA and KUSA Judges, where the NFTA’s Judges were not members of KUSA and the KUSA Judges were not members of NFTA Clubs. There was, however, a shared resolve that this difficulty could be overcome as an interim measure while the NFTA and its members considered their options regarding possible closer alignment with KUSA. The NFTA delegates undertook to provide KUSA with a list of British Breeds (BB) and HPR (Hunt, Point & Retrieve) Judges licensed by the NFTA and KUSA. They thought that there were approximately sixty Judges qualified under the NFTA, whereas those qualified under KUSA numbered around twenty. There were, of course, Judges aligned to both entities.
[Note: Mrs Trudi Winter had subsequently confirmed that, across British and HPR Breeds there were 21 KUSA-licensed Judges, whereas those in the NFTA numbered 61.]
The KUSA contingent at the meeting cautioned that any interim arrangement agreed to between KUSA and the NFTA would be enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), rather than in a formal agreement. GR requested the NFTA to provide KUSA with a document setting out their expectations pertaining to a fresh working arrangement to enable KUSA to assess what might be accommodated in such MoU. Dr Bob Winter undertook to provide GR with points the NFTA would like to see recorded in the MoU, and to assist GR in checking the MoU to ensure that the terminology was consistent with that used by field trialling enthusiasts.
Discussion ensued, during which Fedco expressed the unanimous view that the proposed MoU, once signed, need to replace and in all respects supersede the Agreement of Reciprocity signed on 12 January 2004 between KUSA and the NFTA which will, upon signature of the MoU, become null and void. JH assured Fedco that this was the intention.
On an appeal from JH, Fedco agreed, unanimously, that she and GR should continue with negotiations with the NFTA in pursuit of a mutually acceptable interim solution enshrined in a MoU.
Proposed LW, seconded CG
5.7. Schedule 5D – Regulations for Dog Jumping
5.7.1. Report by NSC Convener – received.
Noted with thanks.
5.7.2. Revised Schedule 5D – attached to agenda .
Approved, unanimously ,
subject to “Development Register” being amended to “Breed Appendix Register” and “Obedience and Trial Dogs” being amended to “Dogsport”.
Proposed CI, seconded LW
Effective 01.04.2020
[Note: Document on KUSA Website to be amended “Minimum Qualifications required – Champion”]
5.7.3. Schedule 5E(16) – Revised Regulations for the National Dog Show Jumping League – attached.
Approved, unanimously ,
subject to deletion of the word “Show” in the heading and “Development Register” being replaced with “Breed Appendix Register” and “Obedience & Trial Dog” being replaced with “Dogsport Register”.
Proposed CI, seconded LW
Effective 01.04.2020
5.7.4. Dog Jumping Booklet – attached.
Accepted, unanimously .
Proposed CI, seconded LW
5.8. Schedule 5E - Regulations for Special Events
See items 5.1.2, 5.4.2 and 5.7.3
5.9. Schedule 5G – Regulations for Dog Carting
5.9.1. Report by NSC Convener – received.
Noted with thanks.
5.10. Schedule 5K – Regulations for Handler Classes
Fedco confirmed that the National Junior Handler, Treymaine Vorster, was authorised to represent KUSA at the 2020 World Dog Show in Spain, at her own expense
Ratified .
LW informed Fedco that, on her recent visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the President of the Bahrain Kennel Club, Sheikh Rasheed Bin Isa Bin Abdulla Hamad Al Khalifa, presented her with a donation to be used for the promotion of Junior Handling in South Africa. The disbursement of any portion of the donation would be at Fedco’s sole discretion.
After discussion, it was decided that the funds should be ring-fenced in a KUSA account, pending a decision on present and future disbursement. An official letter of thanks needed to be sent to the President of the Bahrain Kennel Club by the KUSA Office.
5.11. Schedule 5L – Regulations for Agility
The following documents have been submitted by the NSC (NAgSC):
5.11.1. Report by NSC Convener – received.
Noted with thanks.
5.11.2. Revised Schedule 5L Regulations for Agility Classes – attached to agenda.
Submitted by NSC.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020
5.11.3. Revised Schedule 5L (App C) Regulations for the Selection of South African Dogs to Compete at the AWC – attached to agenda.
Submitted by NSC
Approved, unanimously ,
subject to an amendment to Regulation 1.1 to read “SAAC shall mean the KUSA South African Agility Championships and the SAAC Sub-Committee shall mean the Sub-Committee specially formed each year to co-ordinate the KUSA South African Agility Championships.
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020
5.11.4. Revised Schedule 5L (App D) Regulations for the KUSA South African Agility Championships – attached to agenda.
Approved, unanimously ,
with the exception of new clause 6.0.
There would be no backdating of qualifications.
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020
5.11.5. Revised Schedule 5L (App E) Regulations for the Point Scoring System for the AWC and SAAC – attached to agenda.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented from 01.01.2020
5.11.6. Revised Schedule 5L (App F) Regulations for the National Agility League – attached to agenda.
Approved, unanimously ,
with the exception of new Regulation 6.1.2, due to conflict with Schedule 3 Regulations 7.10.1 and 7.10.2:
7.10.1
A Judge may not enter a dog registered in his ownership in the same Discipline on the same day at the same venue as he is officiating, save and except for Working Disciplines held under the licence of a different Club,
7.10.2
A Judge may not handle a dog in any Discipline, save and except for Working Disciplines held under the licence of a different Club on the same day at the same venue, as he/she is officiating.
Proposed LW, seconded DS
Effective 01.04.2020
May be implemented immediately.
5.12. Schedule 5M – Regulations for Flyball
5.12.1. Report by NSC Convener – attached to agenda.
Noted with thanks.
5.12.2. Revised Schedule 5M
Submitted by NSC
(Includes Annexure 1 Score Sheets and Team Sheet & Annexure 2 Electronic Judges System)
Attached to agenda.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed JH, seconded LT
Effective 01.04.2020
Champion Application Form – minimum requirements to be changed.
Flyball Grand Champion - points may be backdated to 5 years.
New Regulation 7.3.4 Championship Status – points increase from 300 to 700 wef 01.04.2020. Any applications received after 31.03.2020 would require 700 points to qualify for Champion status.
Agreed, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded GM
5.12.3. Proposed New Schedule 5M Appendix B Regulations for the Flyball League
Submitted by NSC - attached to agenda.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed JH, seconded LT
Effective 01.04.2020
5.13. Aptitude Testing - nil
5.14. Schedule 5Q – Regulations for Rescue Dog Trials (RDT)
Proposal to update Regulation 4 – JUDGING AT RESCUE DOG TRIALS (RDT)
Request for Dispensation for Prior Learning for Judging of Rescue Dog Trials (RDT)
Rescue Dog Trials (RDT) would like to get the Rescue Dog Trials underway as a sport within KUSA. With the knowledge-base already in South Africa, it would fast-track the process to qualify Judges to get the trials started. Without qualified Judges, it was difficult to grow the sport.
This was an earnest request for dispensation to be granted to the following persons to be deemed qualified Judges for Rescue Dog Trials in all disciplines: Mrs Robyn Harflett - KUSA Membership No.172778, Mr Stephen Harflett - KUSA Membership No. 172774 and Mrs Mariann Wilson - KUSA - Membership No. 1007959.
Mrs RM Harflett
· Years’ experience in Search and Rescue - 1997 to present
· Years with active search dog in wilderness searching - 2001 to 2015
· Years’ experience with active disaster search dog - 2010 to 2014
· Years’ experience in evaluation of search dogs for the field - 2001 to present
· During years of working we actively trained and worked dogs in air scent, trailing, disaster and water work
· Founding member of the K9 Search and Rescue Association of Southern Africa in 1997
(the unit was a recognised member of IRO).
· Involved in the evaluation and qualification of Fire Department dogs used at the Football World Cup
· Evaluation and qualification of dogs used in the field on active jobs for missing people
· Tutor to new and upcoming members of search dog units.
· Members of the international callout list for rescue volunteers with Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre
Mr SM Harflett
· Years’ experience in search and rescue - 1997 to present
· Years with active search dog in wilderness searching - 2001 to 2015
· Years’ experience with active disaster search dog - 2010 to 2014
· Years’ experience in evaluation of search dogs for the field - 2001 to present
· During years of working we actively trained and worked dogs in air scent, trailing, disaster and water work
· Founding member of the K9 Search and Rescue Association of Southern Africa in 1997
(the unit was a recognised member of IRO).
· Involved in the evaluation and qualification of Fire Department dogs used at the Football World Cup.
· Evaluation and qualification of dogs used in the field on active jobs for missing people
· Tutor to new and upcoming members of search dog units.
· Members of the international callout list for rescue volunteers with Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre and Rescue South Africa.
Mrs M Wilson
· Years’ experience in search and rescue - 2009 to present
· Years with active search dog in wilderness searching - 2011 to present
· Years’ experience in evaluation of search dogs for the field - 2012 to present
· During years of working we actively trained and worked dogs in air scent, trailing, disaster and water work
· Evaluation and qualification of dogs used in the field on active jobs for missing people.
· Tutor to new and upcoming members of search dog units.
· Members of the international callout list for rescue volunteers with Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre and Rescue South Africa.
SCHEDULE 5Q – REGULATIONS FOR RESCUE DOGS
Judges Qualification for Search and Rescue Dog Trials
Insertions – underlined, deletions in [ struck through square brackets ]
4. JUDGING AT RESCUE DOG TRIALS (RDT)
4.1 Judges
Judges whose names appear on the KUSA Judges’ List for the following disciplines may judge at
Rescue Dog Trials [ T r acking Trials:]
Judges Qualified under item 4.1.1 [ Licensed IPO I or higher and/or licensed TD or higher or judges qualified under item 4.1.1 ]
4.1.1 Qualification and Training for Judges
4.1.1.1 For the purpose of this regulation the term "Learner Judge" means a person not yet qualified to judge at a particular trial and who accompanies the appointed licensed Judge (RDT) at a trial and independently, and without consultation with the appointed Judge or any other person, marks the competitors in the Trial as if he were the appointed Judge. A Learner Judge's marks will have no bearing on the results of, or the awards made at a Trial and are not to be made known to the competitors. The Learner Judge's marking is solely to enable him to prepare a report as described in these Regulations.
4.1.1.2 Before a person can act as a Learner Judge (RDT) he must:
4.1.1.3. Have qualified one (1) dog to at least test B in the discipline to be judged. [ one (1) year's active RDT experience by having qualified at least one dog in RDT test and have participated in at least four (4) RDT shows as a competitor OR have been verified by their sponsoring club as having been a RDT trainer for a continuous period of at least two (2) years and have had at least generated four (4) entries in Rescue Dog Trials during that time.]
4.1.1.4 Be proposed by letter from a KUSA affiliated RDT Training Club which hosts KUSA licensed RDT trials and be accepted by the Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee in which area he resides. Where there is no such Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee, the proposal is to be made directly to the National RDT Sub-Committee. Where there is no such National RDT Sub-Committee, the proposal is to be made directly to [ KUS ][ Have been involved twice as an official during an RDT Show.] the Judges Education Council.
4.1.1.5 Make an application in writing to the Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee in which area he normally resides. Where there is no such Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee, the proposal is to be made directly to the National RDT Sub-Committee. Where there is no such National RDT Sub-Committee, the proposal is to be made directly to [KUSA. ][ B e proposed by letter from an affiliated Club to, and be accepted by, the Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee in which area they reside. Where there is no such sub-committee, proposal to be made direct to KUSA.] the Judges Education Council.
4.1.1.6 Pass a written examination with a pass mark of 80%, consisting of:
A. fifteen (15) questions from Schedule 3
B. Forty (40) questions from Schedule 5Q relevant to the discipline to be judged
C. Ten (10) questions on Anatomy, Conformation and motion (dynamics) of dogs.
For standardisation, this examination is to be set by the National RDT Sub-Committee. The examination is to be marked by the National RDT Sub-committee. If no Sub-Committee exists, [ KUSA ] the Judges Education Council shall oversee this. In all cases the exam shall be set and marked by a KUSA-licensed Judge (RDT) in conjunction with the Judges Education Council.
[Make an application in writing to the Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee in which area they normally reside. Where there is no such sub-committee, application to be made direct to KUSA.]
4.1.1.7 [Pass a written examination of fifteen (15) questions from Schedule 3 and fifty (50) questions from Schedule 5Q RDT (pass mark 80%).]
4.1.1.8 The Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee, or where there is no such Sub-Committee, the National RDT Sub-Committee, or where there is no such Sub-Committee ,[ KUSA,] , the Judges Education Council, will then allocate the Learner Judge to a Licensed Judge (RDT). No more than two (2) people may be Learner Judges at any single trial . [ T he Provincial RDT Sub-committee, or KUSA, will then allocate the Learner Judge to a Licenced Judge (RDT). No more than two (2) people may be Learner Judges in any one (1) Grade at any single event.]
4.1.1.9 The learner judge has to submit a written report and his mark sheets. The report has to justify the marks allocated on the mark sheet, describing at least eight (8) dogs in any event, a minimum of four (4) dogs and at least two (2) trials must be reported on before a candidate can be qualified. Within thirty (30) days of the Trial, the Learner Judge must submit his report to the officiating Licensed Judge. [ W i thin thirty (30) days of the Show, the Learner Judge must submit their report/s to the licensed officiating Judge who will examine the report as to whether it is acceptable and they will then comment on the report and send it within sixty (60) days of the Show to the RDT Committee of the Provincial Council in whose area the Learner Judge normally resides, or KUSA, if applicable.]
4.1.1.10 The officiating KUSA Licensed Judge shall, within 30 days of receiving the report, submit the report and mark sheets to the Provincial RDT Sub-Committee, together with the Licensed Judge's comments on the Learner Judges performance. The reports, mark sheets, officiating KUSA Licensed Judge’s comments, together with the Provincial RDT Sub-Committee letter of disapproval will be forwarded to the National RDT Sub-Committee, or where there is no such Sub-Committee,[ to KUSA,] the Judges Education Council, and recorded before being forwarded to the KUSA Judges Department for ratification. [ RDT reports, together with the licensed officiating Judge's comments, will be examined by the Provincial Sub-Committee, or KUSA, and if accepted by the tutor judge the report will be passed on to EXCO for tabling and ratification.]
4.1.1.11 If deemed necessary by the licensed officiating Judge the Learner Judge may be asked to present themselves to an Examining Committee composed of two (2) Licensed Judges (RDT) and the Chairman of [ the ] a Provincial RDT Sub-Committee, who will then discuss with them the doubtful points in the report. The results of this meeting will decide whether the report is passed or failed.
4.1.1.12 The above system will apply to all reports on RDT.
4.1.1.13 [ A person who has qualified under the provisions made in 4.1.1.1 up to and including 4.1.1.7 and acts as a Learner Judge (RDT) will submit two (2) reports on each Grade.
S uch reports need not be submitted in that order .]
4.1.1.14 No person may judge a Grade at a Championship Show or Non-Championship Show until they have been a Learner Judge twice for that Grade and had their reports approved by [ KUSA.] the Judges Education Council.
4.1.1.15 Any report may be referred by the Provincial Councils or the Judges Education Council to EXCO for a decision as to approval or rejection.
4.1.1.16 All reports become effective when passed by EXCO.
4.1.1.17 [ No report by a Judge/Learner Judge shall be considered unless a minimum of four (4) dogs competed throughout the Grade are reported on in detail. The report must contain detailed comment on the performance of the dogs scoring highest and next highest marks as well as the dog scoring the lowest marks in addition to general comment on the performance of all other dogs competing in the Grade.]
4.1.1.18 When a Learner Judge's report is approved; his Workbook must be endorsed accordingly by the Chairman of his Provincial RDT Sub-Committee. Where there is no such Provincial Council RDT Sub-Committee, the endorsement is to be made by the Chairman of the National RDT Sub-Committee. Where there is no such National RDT Sub-Committee, the endorsement is to be made by [ KUSA.] the Judges Education Council. When the requirements as set out in 4.1.2.1 are met, the Judge will send the endorsed Workbook to the KUSA Judges Department for the issue of his RDT Judge's Licence. No Judge shall accept an appointment to judge any Trial for which his Workbook has not been endorsed. [ W h en a Learner Judge's report is approved, their Record Card must be endorsed accordingly by the Chairman of their Provincial Council's RDT Sub-Committee. Where there is no such Sub-Committee, the endorsement to be made by KUSA.
W h en the last report is approved, the Judge will send the endorsed Report Card to KUSA for the issue of their RDT Judge's Licence. No Judge shall accept an appointment to judge any Trial for which their Record Card has not been endorsed.]
4.1.1.19 All Judges, if permanently domiciled in the KUSA area of jurisdiction, to be members of the Kennel Union in good standing, both at the time of accepting an invitation and undertaking an appointment.
The submitted changes to this schedule were agreed, unanimously,
provided that , in the absence of a National Rescue Dog Sub-Committee, GR & JH would establish who would be responsible for checking that the Regulations had been properly formulated and that they met with acceptable grammatical standards.
[Note: “Clean” copy available from the KUSA Office.]
Proposed JH, seconded DS
5.15. Dancing with Dogs - nil
Schedule 5R Heelwork to Music (HTM)
Schedule 5S Musical Freestyle (MF)
5.16. Schedule 8 – Schedule of Documents and Returns to be sent to the Secretary
Following the housekeeping amendment to Schedule 4A, recorded in item 4.7.1, to change the wording from “after close of show” to “after the completion of a Show”, it was agreed that this should also be applied to Schedule 8 Regulations 2.7, 2.8 (Championship Shows), 3.7 & 3.8 Qualifying Shows.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed LW, seconded RJ
Effective 01.04.2020
5.17. Schedule 10 – Any Matters related to Breed Judging
5.17.1. Judges Education Council (JEC)
The Chairman of the JEC, GR, presented his report and pointed out that, as far as possible, the JEC avoided tampering with the Regulations, especially at this early stage when the revised KUSA Breed Judges’ Learning Programme was still in the process of roll-out. Instead, the Council endeavoured to draft guidelines in areas where clarity was sought by stakeholders. A recent example of this was the document, Shadow Judging – Procedures and Guidelines, prepared by JH for use by Club Secretaries, Show Managers and Learner Judges.
An area of frustration for the JEC has been the unexplained reluctance on the part of Learner Judges to have their credits earned under the previous Programme converted to the revised Programme. To serve as an incentive for those who hadn’t submitted the required documentation for conversion to the JEC Administrator , GR sought the Chairman’s permission to record the names of those Learner Judges who had fully, or partly, fulfilled the conversion requirements in the Minutes of Fedco 12-2019. The Chairman signalled his agreement to the publication of the names and the other members of Fedco agreed that it might encourage and accelerate the conversion process.
According to the JEC Administrator, the following Learner Judges had completed the conversion process for the number of Groups indicated:
GAUTENG
1. Austen, Mrs TM (1 Group)
2. Bam, Mr JD (1 Group)
3. Battey, Mrs C (1 Group)
4. Bednarek, Mrs JS (2 Groups)
5. Bridge, Mrs S (Junior Showmanship)
6. Brits, Ms G (2 Groups)
7. Coetsee, Mr L (2 Groups)
8. Coetsee, Mrs A (2 Groups)
9. Coetzer, Mrs C (1 Group)
10. Cronjé, Mrs LM (1 Group)
11. Davies, Mrs W (1 Group)
12. Degenhardt, Mrs BM (2 Groups)
13. Fischer, Mr J (1 Breed Specialisation)
14. Fischer, Mrs AC (1 Group)
15. Foss, Ms C (1 Group)
16. Graham, Mrs S (1 Group)
17. Graham, Mr SA (1 Group)
18. Hartig, Mrs N (2 Groups)
19. Heneke, Mrs M (1 Group)
20. Jansen van Vuuren, Mr R (2 Groups)
21. Joubert, Mrs RM (1 Group)
22. Kern, Ms JM (2 Groups)
23. Moodley, Mr H (1 Group)
24. Nicolau, Prof MD (1 Group)
25. Nicolau, Ms VA (1 Group + Junior Showmanship)
26. Olivier, Mr F (1 Breed Specialisation)
27. Oosthuizen, Prof MC (1 Breed Specialisation)
28. Redtenbacher, Ms N (1 Group)
29. Schultz, Mr GC (1 Group)
30. Smits, Mrs AWC (2 Groups)
31. Ten Napel, Mr JL (2 Groups)
32. Van der Linde, Mr F (1 Group)
33. Van Schalkwyk, Mrs LE (1 Group)
34. Van Vuuren, Ms MJ (1 Group)
35. Young, Mr KD (2 Groups)
KWAZULU-NATAL
1. Green, Mrs GK (1 Group)
2. Jackson, Mrs D (1 Group)
3. Ousman, Mr G (1 Group)
4. Peden, Mr AC (1 Group)
5. Rademeyer, Ms MN (1 Breed Specialisation)
EASTERN CAPE
1. Shortland, Mrs N (1 Group)
2. Warren, Mr J (1 Group)
WESTERN CAPE
1. Africa, Mr BP (1 Group)
2. Botes-Erasmus, Mrs JC (1 Group + Junior Showmanship)
3. De Kock, Mr N (1 Group)
4. Du Toit, Mrs S (2 Groups)
5. Gilmour, Ms C (1 Group)
6. Halmi, Ms MK (2 Groups)
7. Holdsworth, Mr I (2 Groups)
8. Hughes, Ms JE (1 Group)
9. Ingram, Mr T (1 Group)
10. Leipsig, Ms H (1 Group)
11. Nel, Col W (1 Group)
12. Simpson, Mr MS (5 Groups)
13. Simpson, Mrs BM (5 Groups)
14. Thompson, Mr DW (1 Group + 1 Breed Specialisation)
NAMIBIA
1. Van Niekerk, Mr M (1 Group)
GR cautioned that it should be noted that successful conversion did not mean that Learner Judges would necessarily be at liberty to accept judging appointments. Conversion was merely the first step in the compliance process under the revised Programme and needed to be followed, within a reasonable time, by the completion and approval of the mandatory Breed Tests and Hallmarks Assignments before the Learner Judge could be cleared for judging appointments for applicable Groups.
Unfortunately, certain minor amendments to the Schedules and other documents to promote clarity and greater efficiency in the administration of the KUSA Breed Judges’ Learning Programme were unavoidable and GR requested Fedco to approve the following:
In all the amendments below, insertions are underlined and deletions appear in [ struck through square brackets] .
AMENDMENT 1
SCHEDULE 10 – Regulation 3.6, new Regulation 3.7, renumbered Regulation 3.8
3. JUDGING RESTRICTIONS The following time restrictions apply to Judges at all levels:
3.6. Between Best in Show/Best Puppy in Show at [ any] Non-Championship All-Breeds Shows in different provinces: [ a period of 3 months must pass ] there is no time restriction .
3.7. Between Best in Show/Best Puppy in Show at Qualifying and/or Championship All-Breeds Shows in any province: a period of 3 months must pass.
3.8. Between any other Best Class in Show Finals at All-Breeds Shows in any province: there is no time restriction.
Motivation: There was no justification for imposing a three-month time restriction on Judges for judging the Show Finals at Non-Championship Shows in different Provinces. A corresponding change needed to be made to the Judges’ Contract J1.
AMENDMENT 2
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 1 – GROUP COURSE – Regulation 2.3.4.2 & 2.3.4.10
2.3.4. Shadow Judging
2.3.4.2. The Learner Judge must apply in writing – at least 2 weeks before the event – to the Show Secretary, copying the JEC Administrator on the application, who shall request permission from the Officiating Judge on the Learner Judge’s behalf.
2.3.4.10. Proof of all Shadow Judging Assignments must be endorsed by the Officiating Judge. A copy of this completed form must be sent to the JEC Administrator and stored in the Portfolio.
2.3.4.11. The Learner Judge completes an Observation Report following each Shadow Judging session to be stored in the Portfolio.
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 3 – BREED SPECIALISATION COURSE – Regulation 6.4.2 & 6.4.9
6.4 Shadow Judging
6.4.2. The Learner Judge must apply in writing – at least 2 weeks before the event – to the Show Secretary, copying the JEC Administrator on the application, who shall request permission from the Officiating Judge on the Learner Judge’s behalf.
6.4.9. Proof of all Shadow Judging Assignments must be endorsed by the Officiating Judge. A copy of this completed form must be sent to the JEC Administrator and stored in the Portfolio.
6.4.10. The Learner Judge completes an Observation Report following each Shadow Judging session to be stored in the Portfolio.
FORMS:
· GR-19 Learner’s Proof of Shadow Judging - Group Course
· BS-19 Learner’s Proof of Shadow Judging - Breed Specialisation Course
LEARNER JUDGE : Please save this form as a Word document, or as a JPEG, or scan and convert it to Adobe PDF, then forward as an attachment in an email to the Administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Store this completed, signed form in your Portfolio.
Motivation: The JEC Administrator needed to be copied on the Learner Judge’s application to the Club Secretary in order to verify the Learner Judge’s eligibility to complete the Shadow Judging Module and to ensure that the Judge to be shadowed was sufficiently qualified. The JEC had had instances where Learner Judges had not fulfilled Programme requirements and also instances where the Judge selected to be shadowed was not qualified for this purpose as required under the Regulations.
The JEC Administrator was also responsible for the capture of completed assignments of Learner Judges and, if the Administrator were not sent the Proof of Shadow Judging Form, this could not be recorded. The JEC needed to ensure, by way of cross-check, that Modules were completed in accordance with the Regulations and that credits had been accurately allocated to all Learner Judges.
AMENDMENT 3
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 1 – GROUP COURSE – Regulation 2.3.4.1
2.3.4. Shadow Judging
2.3.4.1. The Learner Judge selects to shadow a Level 4 Licensed Judge [ with at least 5 years’ experience ]in the relevant Breeds , licensed at that level for at least 5 years, or an International Judge, at a Championship Show .
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 3 – BREED SPECIALISATION COURSE – Regulation 6.4.1
6.4 Shadow Judging
6.4.1. The Learner Judge selects to shadow a Level 4 Licensed Judge [ with at least 5 years’ experience ] in the relevant Breed[ s ] and any size or coat varieties thereof, licensed at that level for at least 5 years, or an International Judge, at a Specialist Championship Show.
Motivation: “with at least 5 years’ experience” is vague and unverifiable. The Judge shadowed needed to be a Level 4 Judge for 5 years, in other words, from the date of the successfully completing the exam for the Breed in question.
AMENDMENT 4
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 1 - GROUP COURSE – Regulation 2.3.3.1
2.3.3. Judging Appointments: The rationale for this module is to gain practical experience in the multi-skilled task of judging at Conformation Shows. The writing of brief reports encourages the finding of sound reasons for judging decisions and promotes a culture of positive judging.
2.3.3.1. The Learner Judge may accept and will be cleared for Judging Appointments on the successful completion of the Breed Tests and Breed Hallmarks Assignment. (See Regs. 2.3.1. and 2.3.2.). The acceptance of Judging Appointments when ineligible to do so on account of non-compliance with the Regulations, shall be deemed as wilful misrepresentation of judging qualifications and be subject to an appropriate penalty to be imposed by the Executive Committee.
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 3 – BREED SPECIALISATION – Regulation 6.3.1
6.3. JUDGING APPOINTMENTS The rationale for this module is to gain practical experience in the multi-skilled task of judging at Conformation Shows. The writing of brief Critiques encourages the finding of sound reasons for judging decisions and promotes a culture of positive judging.
6.3.1. The Learner Judge may accept and will be cleared for judging appointments on the successful completion of the Breed Test and Breed Hallmarks Assignment (See Regs. 6.1. and 6.2. above). The acceptance of Judging Appointments when ineligible to do so on account of non-compliance with the Regulations, shall be deemed as wilful misrepresentation of judging qualifications and be subject to an appropriate penalty to be imposed by the Executive Committee.
JUDGES CONTRACT J1 – NEW AND THE REST TO BE RENUMBERED
9 c in accepting to judge at a Non-Championship Show as part of his/her studies under the KUSA Breed Judges’ Learning Programme, he/she shall ensure that all the Regulations set out in Schedule 10 Appendices 1 & 3 had been fully adhered to, rendering him/her competent to enter into this Contract. Failing to do so shall be deemed as wilful misrepresentation of Judging qualifications and be subject to an appropriate penalty to be imposed by the Executive Committee ;
Motivation: Learner Judges committing to assignments which they were not qualified to accept were proving a major headache and a huge frustration for Clubs left stranded when it ultimately became evident that a contracted Judge was not eligible to fulfil the assignment. Action needed to be taken to force all Judges to assess their qualifications more carefully before signing contracts in order not to embarrass themselves and inconvenience Clubs.
AMENDMENT 5
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 1 - GROUP COURSE – Regulation 2.3.3.5
2.3.3. Judging Appointments:
2.3.3.5. The Learner Judge completes the standardised Report form during his/her judging, in which details and numbers of the exhibits judged are entered, as well as a brief report on each Best of Breed winner. Should none of the dogs entered be eligible for Best of Breed, but only for Best Baby Puppy, the Learner Judge shall complete the report on the Best Baby Puppy. At Non-Championship Shows where the winner of the Champions Class does not compete for Best of Breed, the Learner Judge shall complete the report on the Best Champion in Breed. If, for reporting purposes, there is a choice between Best Champion in Breed and Best Baby Puppy in Breed, the Champion shall take precedence.
Motivation: At Non-Championship Shows, Baby Puppies or Champions (in the WC particularly, Champions were sometimes deemed not eligible for BOB, but only for Best Champion) were, from time to time, the only representatives of Breeds present. When the new Regulations were devised, the JEC was mindful of the dwindling numbers at Non-Championship Shows but, in conceiving the procedures, failed to take account of the fact that there might not be a Best of Breed for a Learner Judge to report on. As not to deprive the Learner Judge of a specimen for reporting and discussion (with Assessor) purposes, in the absence of a Best of Breed Winner, it was considered advisable that the Best Baby Puppy, or Best Champion in the Breed, should be permitted to stand in as the dog to be reported on.
AMENDMENT 6
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 1 - GROUP COURSE – Regulation 2.3.3.10 (NEW) – Renumber sequentially
2.3.3.10 At one (1) of the assessed appointments, the Assessor will evaluate and assess the Learner Judge’s judging skills and ring management on the official Skills Assessment form ( GR-19 Skills Assessment) and provide feedback and guidance immediately on completion of the judging appointment.
a) If the minimum approval rate is not achieved in all sections of the Skills Assessment , the Learner Judge will be required to undergo one or more subsequent Skills Assessment s, in the underrated section only, until a successful rating is achieved.
b) Upon qualifying as a Senior Judge, i.e. licensed for four (4) Groups, no further Skills Assessments will be required.
2.3.3.11 The Learner Judge must store all his/her Judging Reports and the Skills Assessment form(s) in the Portfolio.
2.3.3.12 On the successful completion of the required three (3) assessments, the Learner Judge may continue to judge, without assessment, in any geographical Centre in order to make up the required quota, if not yet achieved.
2.3.3.13 On completion of all requirements outlined under Judging Appointments 2.3.3. above, the Learner Judge may continue to judge at Non-Championship Shows in any geographical Centre, without assessment, or writing of Reports, until the Learner Judge feels ready to sit the examination.
SCHEDULE 10 APPENDIX 3 – BREED SPECIALISATION COURSE – Regulation 6.3.9. (NEW) – Renumber sequentially
6.3.9 At one (1) of the assessed appointments, the Assessor will evaluate and assess the Learner Judge’s judging skills and ring management on the official Skills Assessment form ( BS-19 Skills Assessment) and provide feedback and guidance immediately on completion of the judging appointment.
a) If the minimum approval rate is not achieved in all sections of the Skills Assessment , the Learner Judge will be required to undergo one or more subsequent Skills Assessment s, in the underrated section only, until a successful rating is achieved.
6.3.10 The Learner Judge must store all his/her Critiques and the Skills Assessment form(s) in the Portfolio.
6.3.11 On completion of all requirements outlined in Reg 6.3. – Judging Appointments, the
Learner Judge may continue to judge at Non-Championship Shows in any geographical Centre without assessment or writing of Critiques until the Learner Judge feels ready to sit the
examination.
Motivation: It was necessary to regulate the frequency of Skills Assessment by the Assessor and to provide for re-evaluation of underrated sections of the Skills Assessment. A new Skills Assessment Form has been devised.
AMENDMENT 7
SCHEDULE 3 APPENDIX 1 – DEFINITION OF Restricted Class
[ A Restricted Class is a class with specific restrictions i.e. Members Class is restricted to members of that club. NOTE: The word “restricted” is often erroneously used in reference to a Class when the intention is “qualifications required” (e.g. to qualify for entry to the Puppy Class a dog must be between nine (9) and twelve (12) months of age). ] A Restricted Class is a class for which the entry is restricted to dogs which have accumulated sufficient Challenge Certificate points towards the title of Breed Champion and such title has been awarded by the Kennel Union.
Motivation: The following Regulations clearly envisage a Restricted Class to be the Champions Class:
22.1.1 Those exhibits eligible for the award of a Best of Breed Certificate and Reserve Best of Breed Certificate, are both Challenge Certificate winners and the unbeaten prize winners of any restricted class as defined in Appendix 1 of Schedule 3.
22.1.3 In the event of both Challenge Certificates being withheld by a Judge, a Best of Breed Certificate and Reserve Best of Breed Certificate shall not be awarded unless the Judge considers that the exhibits in any restricted class merit the awards.
24.3 At every Championship Show where dogs of one breed only are scheduled, the exhibits eligible to compete free of entry fees for Best in Show are Challenge Certificate winners and unbeaten prize winners in any restricted class as defined in Appendix 1 of this Schedule, and the exhibits eligible to compete free of entry fees for Best Puppy in Show are all the Minor Puppy and Puppy class winners.
However, when a Restricted Class is defined in Appendix 1, we find the following confusing definition:
A Restricted Class is a class with specific restrictions, i.e. Members Class is restricted to members of that club. NOTE: The word “restricted” is often erroneously used in reference to a Class when the intention is “qualifications required” (e.g. to qualify for entry to the Puppy Class a dog must be between nine (9) and twelve (12) months of age).
The “Members Class”, cited as an example in the definition, did not fit Regulations 22.1.1, 22.1.3 and 24.3 above, since the winner of a “Members Class” may be a CC Winner.
The above changes proposed by the JEC were approved, unanimously.
Proposed JH, seconded GM
Effective 01.04.2020.
May be implemented 01.01.2020.
GR further informed Fedco that, with the introduction of the mandatory Open-book Worksheet Module, and the successful completion (100% pass mark) thereof being a requirement for Candidate Judges to obtain examination entrance for the Paper 1 exam, the time period between the Second Semester PT&AW (traditionally held on the 24 September public holiday - Heritage Day) and the registration closing date for the Second Semester Breed exams, 1 October, was just too short. Consequently, the JEC requested an amendment to the closing date for exam registrations to 15 October, which would allow an additional two-week period for the completion and assessment of the Open-book Worksheets and would also bring it in line with the First Semester closing date of 15 May.
The request for a change of the closing date for Second Semester exam registration to 15 October was granted, unanimously.
Proposed GR, seconded CI
In concluding his comments, GR appealed to all Federal Councillors to play a meaningful role in Judges’ education in their provinces by acquainting themselves with the Regulations governing the KUSA Breed Judges’ Learning Programme. There were many intricacies inhibiting compliance which, for those not familiar with them, resulted in frustration. It was important for candidates to realise that, in a nationally based Programme, there could be no regional exceptions, or concessions. In a nutshell, the Regulations were applicable to everybody, irrespective of area of residence.
Noted.
RJ said he was obliged to bring to the JEC’s attention the fact that a Learner Judge who had fulfilled the Shadow Judging Module at the Sasolburg Championship Show in October 2019 was, in the view of the Club Committee and a number of exhibitors, inappropriately dressed for a judging assignment. The Judge who was shadowed was a foreigner and, after the show, he had commented negatively on the Learner’s ring appearance and requested RJ to bring his impressions to the attention of the “appropriate authorities”.
GR expressed disappointment at what appeared to be a breach of the C ode of Conduct and Practice for Judges Licensed by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa , as well as a discourtesy to a foreign Judge who had agreed to the presence and participation of a Learner Judge in his ring. JH undertook to check whether the not-yet-distributed Shadow Judging – Procedures and Guidelines document contained a dress directive for Learner Judges and, if not, to include one.
Noted.
NdP enquired whether it was the intention for the JEC to become involved in the Judges’ education of the Working Disciplines in future. JH advised that Judges’ education and qualifications of the Working Disciplines were currently being handled by the National Sub-Committees (NSCs). She agreed that, for some Working Disciplines, this was not ideal, since some NSCs were under-resourced in the provision of training, learning materials and skills assessment. As of 2020, the JEC intended to start offering its assistance to NSCs that were finding it difficult to cope with the training of Judges and upholding acceptable standards of assessment for qualification purposes. Needless to say, the JEC did not purport to be possessed of the necessary competencies to deal with the education and training needs of the various Working Disciplines and the Council would need to appoint/co-opt the necessary expertise to carry out such a broadened mandate.
GR informed NdP that it was one of the stated objectives of the JEC to assist with Judges’ Education across the board, as is clear from the following constitutional provision: “To engage with those involved in the education and training pertaining to Working Disciplines with a view to their joining forces with the JEC with the ultimate goal of uniting Judges’ education for dogsport across the board under the JEC.” It therefore made perfect sense for the JEC to become involved with the training of Judges for Working Disciplines where the need exists and GR appealed to Fedco to permit him to investigate the possibility of extending the JEC’s reach and to revert to Fedco with a proposal regarding one or more further appointments onto the Council.
Approved, unanimously ,
Proposed JH, seconded GM
LW informed Fedco that, during her recent judging visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain to judge at its International Dog Show 2019, the President of the Bahrain Kennel Club, had expressed interest in acquiring some of the KUSA learning materials for Judges’ education in Bahrain. GR informed Fedco that he and JH had been made aware of Sheikh Rasheed Bin Isa Bin Abdulla Hamad Al Khalifa’s interest in the KUSA Breed Judges’ Learning Programme, but explained that Ms Joy McFarlane needed to declare her position on the use of the materials by another National Canine Organisations (NCO) as well as identify which sections, or elements, of the study materials were not on-licensable. It was GR’s intention to write to Ms McFarlane in this regard as soon as practicable.
Noted.
6. BREED/LIAISON COUNCILS
6.1. Rottweiler Breed Council of KUSA (RBC)
6.1.1. Annual Report from the Chairman – received.
Noted with thanks.
6.2. Federation of Boxer Clubs of SA Breed Council (FBCSA BC)
6.2.1. Annual Report from the Chairman – attached.
Noted with thanks.
The Treasurer’s Report was still awaited. PM had alerted the Treasurer to some inaccuracies in the report and had returned it for correction.
6.3. GSD Liaison Council
6.3.1. Annual Report from the Chairman – received.
Noted with thanks.
It was further noted that the GSDLC’s AGM would need to be rescheduled in 2020, inter alia, in order to elect a Chairman and to approve the Annual Financial Statements.
6.3.2. Grading of Dogs (Fedco 06-2019 item 6.3.1)
The confirmation of GSD Judges to award Gradings to GSDs in South Africa (ZA) was discussed at Fedco 06-2019 and agreed that the confirmation of any further GSD Judges be deferred to Fedco 12-2019 at which time it was hoped that there would be greater clarity on the effect of international developments.
Further information would be tabled.
The matter was deferred to Fedco 06-2020, by which time the JEC needed to be able to offer a Breed Specialisation Course for GSDs. GR informed Fedco of Ms McFarlane’s comments on Breed Specialisation contained in an email to him and Fedco thought that it would be appropriate for the Senior Consultant, GM, to confer with Ms McFarlane and request her to provide the JEC with the work she had done so far on the GSD Specialisation Course to enable the JEC to assess what still needed to be completed in order to offer the Course to aspiring GSD Specialists.
6.3.3. Schedule 2 Appendix “C” – Breed-Specific Litter Registration Requirements – German Shepherd Dogs
[ struck through in square brackets ] – delete. Underlined – insert.
3. GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG LITTERS
3.1 Dam & Sire are positively identified by microchip before any X-ray examination is made. The microchip identification number is included on all developed X-ray film/digital images and on the certificate.
3.2 The breeder is the current holder of a KUSA-registered Affix (Kennel Name).
3.3 At the time of mating, the Sire is eighteen (18) months of age or older.
3.4 At the time of whelping, the Dam is twenty-two (22) months of age or older.
From 01.07.2019, Stud Dogs must comply with the following minimum requirements:
3.5 HD C2:C2 or better
3.6 ED 2,2 or better
3.7 DNA profiled
From 01.01.2020, puppies born after this date to be used at stud must comply with the following minimum requirements:
3.8 [ From 01.01.2020: ]
Breed Grading of Good (G) or better
[ IGP 1 or better ]
From 01.07.2019, Bitches must comply with the following requirements:
3.9 HD C2:C2 or better
3.10 ED 2,2 or better
3.11 DNA profiled
From 01.01.2020, puppies born after this date to be mated with must comply with the following minimum requirements:
3.12 [ From 01.01.2020:]
Breed grading of Good (G) or better
[ Working Qualification of BH before a second litter can be registered .]
Motivation:
At Fedco 12-2018, the GSDLC sought to bring the Regulations in line with the German Breeding Rules. Subsequent to Fedco’s favourable ruling on the 2018 submission, it has come to light that, in order to protect the gene pool, the change as agreed to by Fedco was premature and ambitious. In consequence, the GSDLC needed to request Fedco to consider an extension to the implementation period to allow for a further 18 - 22 months by inserting the words “puppies born after” 01.01.2020. This would result in extending the time of actual implementation by 22 months, should these puppies born after 01.01.20 be used for breeding.
Approved, unanimously .
Proposed JH, seconded LW
Effective 01.04.2020
7. PROVINCIAL COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS TO THEIR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Received and noted with thanks.
8. GENERAL
9. MATTERS BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE CHAIRMAN
9.1. German Shepherd Dog Federation of South Africa (GSDFSA) vs Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)
The Chairman informed the members of Fedco that the past six months had been a relatively stagnant period in the dispute between the GSDFSA and the DAFF. The parties, including KUSA as the Third Respondent, had drafted their Heads of Argument and it was now up to the Gauteng Division of the High Court to set a court date.
Noted.
9.2. Fedco Portfolios
Fedco Members’ Portfolios were updated as follows:
Clr CJL Griffith
Finance, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), Information Technology, KUSA Constitution & Schedules
Clr JM Hubbard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), Budgets, Breed Health, Mondioring, Rescue Dogs, Extraordinary Registrations, Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung (IGP) and Tracking Trials
Clr CM Immelman
Breed Shows, Handling, Registrations, Exports, Information Technology, Digital Communications, KUSA Web & Social Media.
Clr RD Juckes
DNA, Genetic Health Issues, Dog Dancing, Working Trials
Clr G Morison
Shows, Carting, Canicross
Clr DC Sparg
Agility, Dog Jumping, Field Trials, Obedience
Clr BG Robinson
Media/Press, Budgets, KUSA Constitution & Schedules, Club Constitutions & By-laws, Provincial Council Constitutions & By-laws
Clr L Thornhill
Information Technology, Handling, DNA, Genetic Health Issues, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Flyball & Rally Obedience, Digital Communication, KUSA Web & Social Media
Noted.
9.3. K9 Administration System Upgrade Project
PM presented a Status Report on the upgrade of KUSA’s K9 System under timelines from June 2018 to November 2019. Although some delays had been beyond the control of the KUSA Office and SRS BSNS (the developers), she nevertheless expressed disappointment, from a KUSA Office’s perspective, at the slow rate of progress.
Some members of Fedco echoed PM’s exasperation with the delays, but it was acknowledged that the project was too far down the line to change horses midstream. Fedco urged PM to substantially increase her availability to SRS BSNS in order to accelerate the pace of development and implementation. PM undertook to decisively delegate her routine duties to KF and others as a matter of urgency in order to devote major time to the K9 upgrade.
The Task Team for the K9 Administration System Upgrade Project currently comprised PM, CG and CI. It was agreed, unanimously, to add LT to the Task Team.
Proposed CG, seconded CI
9.4. Representation of Working Disciplines at National Level
JH appealed to the representatives of the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape & Border and Western Cape Provincial Councils to establishDog Dancing and Tracking Trials in either, or all three, jurisdictions in order to afford these Working Disciplines the benefit of National representation. Currently these two Working Disciplines were only represented in two Provincial Councils each.
LW reminded the Council that only two Provincial Councils hosted Sub-Committees for Aptitude Testing and that efforts ought to be made to afford this Discipline National recognition as well.
JH further appealed to Provincial Councils that have joined Tracking Trials and Working Trials under a single Sub-Committee, to split them. They were two entirely different Working Disciplines, although both disciplines were practised in South Africa. Working Trials encompassed a variety of different Trials, whereas Tracking Trials was purely for tracking. For instance, IGP Tracking Trials were internationally recognised by the FCI.
Although the same people could conceivably serve on both the Working Trials and Tracking Trials Sub-Committees, the two Disciplines ought to be separated to afford them each their own National Sub-Committee.
Noted.
9.5. Recognition of New Working Disciplines
9.5.1. Rally Obedience
Although the FCI Regulations for Rally Obedience were still in development, this dogsport had gained steady traction in a number of countries, including the USA and UK. Rory Shortland, based in the Eastern Cape, had initially been tasked with the drafting of the KUSA Rally Obedience Schedule but, when Western Cape-based Tinus van der Vyver’s passion for the Discipline subsequently became evident, Rory handed the task over to Mr Van der Vyver.
LT undertook to engage with Mr Van der Vyver at the earliest opportunity to encourage him to complete the KUSA Regulations with a view to tabling these at Fedco 06-2020.
Noted.
9.5.2. Canicross
KF briefed Fedco on his discussions with various education administrative bodies in Cape Town. In his view, this branch of dogsport had tremendous potential to attract a younger generation and, hopefully, also to ignite their interest in other dog-related activities.
LW mentioned that, in Gauteng, Canicross had a particular following among Siberian Husky enthusiasts and advised KF to contact Liz Norval, whom she believed could provide useful information. JH mentioned that she had recommended that KF consulted with Alaskan Malamute breeder, Charmaine McGregor, on various aspects allied to Canicross, including possible pitfalls.
While the FCI’s Regulations for Canicross were in gestation, CI thought that provisional “basic rules” should be drafted, so that Canicross could be practised on some formalised basis as soon as possible.
Noted .
9.5.3. Mondioring
The FCI had formulated its International Rules of Mondioring and JH informed Fedco that the Highveld Belgian Shepherd Dog Club had stated its intention to table a proposal for Mondioring to be recognised as a Working Discipline under KUSA. The Club had appointed a steering committee comprising Keith Duranty, Case van Hattem, Stephen Harflett and Robyn Harflett to draft the KUSA Mondioring Schedule for tabling at Fedco 06-2020.
Noted.
It was agreed, unanimously, for the above three new Working Disciplines to be added to Article 2 Interpretation of Terms – “Disciplines”.
Proposed JH, seconded CI
Effective 01.02.2021
9.6. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KUSA and Oakhurst Insurance Company regarding its “dotsure” product
Following comments by KUSA’s Legal Adviser on the initial draft of the MoU, KF tabled a substantially amended tracked version. Having considered the revised document, NdP advised that his concerns had been adequately alleviated.
JH expressed reluctance to provide members’ information to dotsure and KF assured her that this was not the intention. In order to make payments for “Successful Referrals”, dotsure was quite prepared to approach the KUSA Office in order to verify the membership status of those eligible for reward and KF undertook to insert this requirement into the MoU.
The necessary amendment having been made, Fedco agreed, unanimously, that the MoU should be signed and KF produced fair copies of the document for the Chairman’s signature.
Proposed CI, seconded RJ
Effective 01.12.2019
9.7. The AfriCanis Nguni dog
LW tabled a curiously indignant letter from Mrs Edith Gallant, objecting to the AfriCanis being identified as an emerging breed on the KUSA website, rather than as a landrace. On behalf of the AfriCanis Society, Mrs Gallant expressed the wish that the reference to the AfriCanis as an emerging breed be removed from the KUSA website.
Fedco considered the documentation and Mrs Gallant’s plea and it was decided, unanimously, to remove all references to the breed from the KUSA website.
Proposed JH, seconded GM
9.8. Breed Health
JH had circulated a comprehensive document from the Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club), setting out its Breeding Strategy for Brachycephalic Pedigree Dogs, a step with far-reaching implications, as might be clear from the following statement:
“The Dutch Kennel Club ‘Raad van Beheer’ supports the Minister in setting rules for the breeding of
brachycephalic dogs. The Raad van Beheer plays a supervising role in breeding of pedigree dogs and
therefore takes its responsibility, as expressed in “FairFok” (Fair Breeding), and will set additional
requirements for issuing pedigree certificates.
In the future, breeders must demonstrate that brachycephalic dogs are proven free of conformation
related problems. Healthier dogs will be used for breeding. Both crossbreds and look-alikes will be
eligible to enter the studbook in order to breed dogs with a longer muzzle.”
JH also deemed it advisable for Fedco to take cognisance of the Cooperation Agreement on Brachycephalic Breeds signed between the FCI President, Dr Tamás Jakkel, and Dr Jane Ladlow of the Animal Health Trust in the UK and the Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) Research Group, based at the University of Cambridge.
PM thought it prudent that KUSA should formulate its position on BOAS. In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the NCOs had been investing in research to guide and assist their breeders and KUSA might consider doing the same, or engaging in collaborative efforts. In line with international trends, KUSA might expect to be challenged by various interest groups on the steps already taken, and to be taken prospectively, to diminish the health problems in brachycephalic breeds.
NdP said that BOAS was obviously an emotive issue and LT agreed. The Clubs for certain iconic brachycephalic breeds needed to play a leading role in eradicating health problems in these breeds and those driving the Breed Health agenda within KUSA ought to take urgent steps to devise possible strategy for consideration at Fedco 06-2020.
PM drew the attention of Fedco to a document issued by The Kennel Club, entitled Kennel Club limits ‘hereditary clear’ status to support eradication of health conditions . In a nutshell, this document informed the KC membership that, in order to safeguard against the impact that dogs with an incorrect ‘hereditary clear’ status could have on health issues within a breed, with effect from January 2022, the KC would limit the assignment of ‘hereditary clear’ status of registered dogs to two generations.
Noted.
9.9. Federal Councillors requested to advise their absence or unavailability to the KUSA Office
PM requested that Federal Councillors should advise the office when they were going to be out of the country, or otherwise unavailable. This would pre-empt enquiries being referred to a person who was not available at a particular time.
All present agreed.
9.10. Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO)
It was noted that Exco’s TEO Procedures Document, aimed at Dog Aggression in the Breed Ring, had served KUSA well for a period, but had come up against certain obstacles:
· A CGC Bronze was not considered by certain Working Discipline experts to be an adequate test to serve as part of the readmission criteria for a dog under a TEO;
· It was difficult to find three Breed Judges prepared to assess a dog under a TEO;
· KUSA was at risk to be held liable should a dog cleared under the Exco criteria (CGC and assessment by 3 Judges) bite again;
· KUSA was at risk to be held liable should one of its Judges be bitten during the assessment procedure.
It was decided that, as a matter of urgency, an alternative procedure needed to be devised by Exco for dealing with Dog Aggression, preferably in consultation with accredited Animal Behaviour Consultants. The procedure should not only apply to Breed dogs, but also to dogs competing in Working Disciplines.
Work in progress.
9.11. Sworn Statements from Witnesses to Dog Aggression Incidents
JH sought clarity from the Legal Adviser on whether the statements garnered from witnesses of dog-biting incidents needed to be sworn statements. NdP said that unsworn statements were statements not made under oath and were therefore not binding on a person’s conscience. Unsworn statements had little value in legal proceedings and carried minimal weight in the verification of a sequence of events leading up to an incident.
JH accepted NdP’s explanation and said she would try to convince Commissioners of Oath in the dog world to have their stamps available at dog shows, failing which, witness statements would have to be certified at a police station, or by another authority, the following day.
Noted.
9.12. PetExpo 2020
CI gave a short PowerPoint presentation on the first PetExpo, incorporating WODAC, scheduled to be held at the Ticketpro Dome, Randburg, on 7 & 8 November 2020. PetExpo 2020 would be hosting two KUSA-licensed All-breeds Championship Shows, judged by international Judges. On the Dome’s floorplan, CI identified the benching for the Shows and the space sponsored by Bravecto for ‘Meet the Breeds’. If KUSA were to take a stand at the event, CI thought it should ideally be in the vicinity of the ‘Meet the Breeds’ space, which would afford convenient access to the four show rings.
All present thanked CI for the presentation and there was general consensus that KUSA’s presence at the first PetExpo was desirable and should be seriously considered once the presentations to potential stallholders were ready to be made.
Noted.
9.13. Debtors – Payment reconciliation
PM explained that, in a Debtors’ system where invoices were raised after receipt of payment on account of the nature of KUSA’s business, it was sometimes a challenge to match payments to particular Debtors if the payments were not clearly identified on the bank statements.
LW said that, having investigated the Debtors situation, she was satisfied with the multi-layered approach followed by the KUSA Office to link payments, had indeed been effective in minimising unallocated payments. The Debtors situation was much improved and the KUSA Office deserved credit for their considerable efforts to reconcile payments.
PM said it would be a great help to the Accounts Department if the Clubs and their Members were to utilise the appropriate portals to track the progress of applications and payments. This was an easy way of detecting unallocated funds and pre-empting funds being diverted to a suspense account. She appealed to the Federal Councillors to promote and encourage the use of the portal facility in their Councils.
Noted.
9.14. Breeders’ Adverts on the KUSA Website
After discussion, it was agreed, unanimously, that it would be more appropriate for the advertisements on the KUSA website to be called Members’ Adverts.
Noted.
9.15. Requirements for UK Judges to officiate at South African Championship Shows
Since Judges in the UK gained their qualifications breed-by-breed, their clearance to judge in foreign countries had always been a headache. Many of them regularly judged huge classes at Open Show level and, in the past, this experience had been taken into account in assessing their qualifications to judge at South African Championship Shows.
Initially drafted in1998, amended in 2001, and again in 2003, KUSA formulated its REQUIREMENTS FOR UK JUDGES TO OFFICIATE AT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS IN THE KUSA AREA OF JURISDICTION . Sixteen years later, it was felt that much had changed in the UK and in South Africa and that the requirements set out in the document ought to be reconsidered.
Fedco deemed the JEC the most appropriate structure to reassess the requirements for UK Judges to officiate at South African Championship Shows and it was agreed, unanimously, that the JEC should table its proposal at Fedco 06-2020.
Proposed CI, seconded LT
9.16. The South African Mastiff
On 20 November 2019, JH and GR met with Stoffel & Lzt Bloem of the Ysterberg Mastiffs, pursuant to a document JH had prepared on KUSA Recognition of an Emerging Breed which had been sent to them in advance. At the meeting, the KUSA delegates were informed that the Ysterberg Mastiff Breed Council (YMBC) had decided to rebrand and that the breed would henceforth be known as the South African Mastiff. According to the Bloems, both names. i.e. Ysterberg Mastiff and South African Mastiff, had been registered with the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC), trademarks pending.
In the document announcing the rebranding, the newly constituted South African Mastiff Breed Council’s (SAMBC’s) decision was motivated as follows:
“The Ysterberg bloodline of the South African Mastiff ® in the 1940s under the rigours of farm life in the rugged Ysterberg mountain area of South Africa. Bred for form and function as a farm and guardian breed, not for purposes of exhibition and commercial sale. The Ysterberg farm dogs preceded the registration and recognition of large native dogs which came to be called “Boerboels” and became part of the gene pool when the Boerboel was created. For the past decade, dedicated breeders of the Ysterberg bloodline continued to breed their dogs under a controlled programme of the Ysterberg Mastiff® Breed Council (YMBC).
To address confusion related to the name attached to the “Ysterberg Mastiff” and “Boerboel”, we’re excited to announce that as of November 2019, we’re rebranding. As part of our rebranding strategy, our organisation’s name will change from Ysterberg Mastiff ® Breed Council to South African Mastiff ® Breed Council (SAMBC) – powered by Ysterberg since 1948.”
JH informed Fedco that it was the intention of the SAMBC to appoint KUSA as the Registering Authority for this emerging breed and to ultimately transfer its trademarks to KUSA. A Breed Standard for the South African Mastiff had been drafted in the FCI’s “Jerusalem format” and JH and GR had also been presented with the SAMBC’s Code of Ethics.
Fedco noted this development with interest and there were no objections to JH and GR taking the negotiations with the SAMBC to an eventual conclusion.
Noted.
9.17. KUSA’s Public Liability Insurance and Disclaimer Notices at Shows
With all dog-biting incidents required to be reported and members of the public, including children, attending shows, it was queried whether KUSA’s Public Liability Insurance (PLI) was sufficient to cover claims resulting from injury. Having assessed the quantum quoted by PM, NdP believed that KUSA’s PLI should be increased substantially.
Fedco agreed and PM undertook to obtain the necessary quotes and advise Fedco.
NdP also alerted Fedco to the fact that Disclaimer Notices ought to be displayed at all dog shows, normally where people customarily enter the showgrounds, but also at the Show Office and near other high-traffic areas. It was suggested that Clubs should have a number of laminated Notices available to post wherever suitable. NdP undertook to draft a suitable Disclaimer Notice, the wording of which could be made available to Club Secretaries via KUSA’s website and Facebook page.
Noted.
9.18. Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard and Presentation
JH reported that she and GR had met with Mrs Liz Megginson, Chairman of the South African Rhodesian Ridgeback Club, on 20 November 2019, to discuss certain contentious issues around the changes to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard and the fallout these changes had caused internationally. Mrs Megginson noted KUSA’s concerns and undertook to address them with the parties involved. In the course of the discussion, it was emphasised by JH that the only official communication channel with the FCI was through KUSA and that this protocol ought to be observed at all times by the SARRC’s Officers and Officials.
The possibility of reproducing the illustration, ‘Ridgebacks Holding Lion at Bay’, published in the book, ‘ The Complete Rhodesian Ridgeback” by Peter Nicholson and Janet Parker (Ringpress Books Ltd., 1991) at the top of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard, was also discussed with Mrs Megginson. GR explained that Ringpress in the UK had gone out of business and that the copyright in the text and illustrations would conceivably have reverted to the authors and artist respectively. Mrs Megginson was obviously familiar with the book and said she knew the illustrator, Marilyn Farmer Rhodes, whom she believed had passed away. However, to her best knowledge, Marilyn Farmer Rhodes’s daughter was still alive and she undertook to make every effort to contact her to secure permission for the use of the illustration in question.
The PowerPoint presentation on the Rhodesian Ridgeback, prepared by Ms Joy McFarlane and others, was given to Mrs Megginson on a flash drive to peruse at her leisure, with a request to revert to JH with comments, or suggestions. JH was obviously keen to finalise this matter, since the FCI has repeatedly appealed to member NCOs to lodge some form of visual record of their national breeds with the FCI as reference material.
10. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS – TO BE CONFIRMED
2020:
June 26 & 27 - Confirmed.
December 05 & 06 – To be confirmed by circular.
11. CLOSING
Before closing the meeting, the Chairman paid tribute to Clr Lois Wilson, who had resigned as Chairman of Exco and, in consequence, also as a member of Fedco. Clr Wilson had served eleven years as a member of Exco, seven of those as Chairman, and she was sincerely thanked for the enormous contribution she had made to KUSA in both executive capacities.
The Chairman confirmed that, in terms of Articles 16.2.1.1 and 16.2.4, the Vice-Chairman of Exco, Mr Bruce Jenkins, would complete the unexpired portion of Clr Wilson’s term of office, i.e. until 31.12.2020.
The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and mentioned that he was highly impressed with the contribution the new members of Fedco had made to the deliberations. He anticipated a bright future for KUSA under the leadership of a revitalised team and was looking forward to robust discussions and inspired decisions in the future.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 11h58 with a vote of thanks to the KUSA staff who had sacrificed part of their Sunday to attend the meeting. He wished the Federal Councillors and all the members of staff of KUSA a peaceful and joyous Festive Season and prosperous 2020.