General – Page 9

THE KENNEL CLUB URGES SWIFT ACTION FOLLOWING COURT OF APPEAL JUDGMENT ON USE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLARS

The UK’s biggest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs has written to Zac Goldsmith, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Minister, to urge swift action to implement a ban on the use of electric shock collars in England, following a Court of Appeal judgment last week which dismissed the appeal of the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association and Petsafe Ltd.

‘PAWING THE WAY’: THE KENNEL CLUB ISSUES ADVICE TO PROTECT THE NATION’S DOGS AS RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO LIFT ACROSS ENGLAND

The organisation’s post-lockdown ‘Paw-by-Paw Guide’ offers advice and guidance for new and seasoned dog owners to navigate newly found freedoms

With Covid-19 restrictions easing further from Monday (17 May) and the relaxation of rules around overnight stays, indoor dining and socialisation, The Kennel Club has issued advice to help dog owners enjoy their newly found freedoms responsibly, alongside their four-legged friends.

‘OVERDUE’ ELECTRIC SHOCK COLLAR BAN AMONGST NEW GOVERNMENT MEASURES WELCOMED BY THE KENNEL CLUB

The UK’s biggest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs has today (12 May) welcomed the Government’s newly announced Action Plan for Animal Welfare. The first of its kind, the flagship plan aims to ensure the UK is leading the way in animal welfare and includes a ban on the use of electric shock collars, a move which has been long-campaigned for by The Kennel Club.

The use and sale of electric shock collars is currently not prohibited in England, with Wales being the only nation with regulations in place which prevent their use. Research funded by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) demonstrated that electronic collars can have a detrimental effect on the welfare of dogs by causing them unnecessary harm and suffering, with 25 per cent of dogs trained with shock collars showing signs of stress.

Clarification of C Scent process until the end December 2021

CLASS C SCENT

Guide for Judges, Competitors and Officials

Procedure during Covid compliant suspension of regulations

Class C scent is modified to the handler’s scent (as per class . There will be two decoy cloths, both from the same decoy steward.

REGISTERED SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS AND ANNUAL RETURNS

In February 2021 the Board directed that registered societies may relax / suspend constitutional provisions, through its enactment of Regulation C5.e. In this way, societies may legitimately process routine business by adopting interim arrangements such as postal / online voting or remote meetings, as appropriate.

Whilst this was for six-month period relating to the processing of routine business usually dealt with at AGMs, this now been extended to 31 December 2021.

Merit points for championship class C draws

Regulation G29.e details how points are calculated for inclusion in the running order draws for championship class C where the entry exceeds 60 dogs.

Due to the cancellation of events over the course of the pandemic no points will have been gained since March 2020. Therefore, all active merit points achieved from March 2019 will remain in place for a further year. Meaning that for any show held during 2021, merit points gained since March 2019 can be used for eligibility in to championship class C draws.

As with other Covid-19 regulation amendments, this is applicable until 31 December 2021.

KENNEL CLUB SURVEY REVEALS THAT 60 PER CENT OF COMPETITORS WANT EVENTS TO RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

KENNEL CLUB SURVEY REVEALS THAT 60 PER CENT OF COMPETITORS WANT EVENTS TO RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

97 per cent want resumption within a year of lockdown easing

An online survey recently carried out by The Kennel Club has revealed that 60 per cent of competitors want events to return as soon as possible, it has been announced.

In the same vein, 55 per cent of judges and 53 per cent of event organisers would also like to see shows and trials resume as soon as government regulations allow in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Looking further ahead, an even more optimistic figure of 97 per cent of competitors said they would be happy to return to events within a year of lockdown easing. Similarly, 96 per cent of judges and 84 per cent of event organisers would like to return to their hobby within the same timeframe.

The survey was completed by a total of 8,036 people last month during the UK-wide lockdown. It was designed to gauge the views of respondents in relation to the prospect of the phased and safe return of licensed events.

THE KENNEL CLUB GUIDANCE ON RESTARTING SHOWS AND EVENTS

A safe and phased return to licensed events

Following the Government’s ‘roadmap’ announcements, The Kennel Club will not be extending its previous recommendation to cancel future licensed events but supports a safe and phased return to licensed events. New guidance for clubs and societies which might be considering holding licensed shows and other events as lockdown restrictions are eased across the UK has been issued.

CRUFTS 2021 CANCELLED

It is with deep regret that The Kennel Club has decided to cancel Crufts 2021, which was due to take place from 15 – 18 July. This is owing to ongoing uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in consideration for the health and safety of all its volunteers, judges, exhibitors, sponsors, trade stand holders, visitors and staff.

For many months, ongoing discussions have been taking place with the NEC and other parties in trying to find a way forward in making it possible to run this year’s show in a Covid-secure way.

KC ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Following discussion by the Activities Committee it has been agreed that the requirement to include any stay exercise in obedience competitions will be suspended until 31 December 2021, in the same manner as other Covid-19 related regulation suspensions (please refer to bit.ly/3m9NkoM).

This comes following a recommendation made by the Obedience Liaison Council at its January meeting to permanently remove the stay exercise from obedience, and from discussion by the Activities Committee on further suspensions needed to help shows run safely again.