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KENNEL CLUB BACKS CALLS FOR REVIEW AND REFORM OF ‘UNFAIR’ PUBLIC SPACES PROTECTION ORDERS SYSTEM

Due to the ongoing adverse impact of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for dogs and owners, The Kennel Club is supporting a call to review and reform the system which restricts and controls public spaces.

The organisation is backing a petition which highlights the often inadequate public consultations held by local authorities, the limited opportunity that local residents have to challenge any Orders and the corresponding negative impact of PSPOs on dogs and their owners – and ultimately is seeking a government review and reform of the process.

UPDATE ON CANINE HEALTH SCHEMES AS ENGLAND ENTERS SECOND NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

In light of the national four-week lockdown that began in England last week (5 November), the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and The Kennel Club (KC) have announced the following changes to the Canine Health Schemes (CHS) in order to follow the new guidelines and restrictions, and also continue to process submissions.

As of Thursday 5 November, the CHS office is closed and the team are working remotely.

Impact on veterinary practices

England: As part of BVA’s guidance to veterinary practices, how practices are able to operate and which services they will be able to offer in terms of health testing will be dependent on individual practice factors such as staffing levels, building layout, as well as the vets’ professional and clinical judgement, and we would urge all owners to respect their individual vet’s decisions in this matter.

OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED/AMENDED UNTIL 1 JULY 2021

Societies are advised to hold smaller shows where possible to allow more space for social distancing and space around rings. Classes could be planned for either a morning or afternoon, and be advised in the schedule so that competitors can manage their arrival and departure.All special arrangements put in place in relation to the regulations listed below must be clearly stated in the schedule.Regulations have been amended/altered to facilitate smaller shows as follows:

KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING CRUFTS 2021

In light of recent government announcements, The Kennel Club has been discussing the holding of Crufts 2021 which is set to take place from 11 – 14 March at the NEC Birmingham.

The Kennel Club Board would like to reassure competitors, exhibitors and everyone involved in the dog world that it remains actively committed to holding the show next year. In particular, the Crufts team have been looking at different options for how Crufts 2021 might look. However, the most important aspect will be the safety of all those who attend and any possible negative impact that holding the event may have.

OBEDIENCE LIAISON COUNCIL MEETING 21 JANUARY 2021

The next meeting of the Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council is scheduled to be held remotely via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 21 January 2021. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 23 October 2020.

Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given. All submissions must be signed by the society/individual and the representative.

Please note, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk and not sent in the post to the London office.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at bit.ly/2Tx8YVk

KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Surrey Dog Training Society have relinquished their championship obedience status with effect from 2020.

Any society which would be interested in applying for future championship obedience status should submit a presentation for consideration. Please note that it will be necessary to select a date that does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.

THE KENNEL CLUB WELCOMES NEW RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTRONIC COLLARS

The Kennel Club has welcomed the findings of a recent study carried out by the Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group at the University of Lincoln, which assessed the efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars compared to training with positive reinforcement.

The findings from the study, Efficacy of Dog Training With and Without Remote Electronic Collars vs. a Focus on Positive Reinforcement, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, refute the suggestion that training with an electronic shock collar is either more efficient or results in less disobedience, even in the hands of experienced trainers, than positive reinforcement.

Operational plan for the resumption of obedience

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/operational-plan-for-the-resumption-of-licensed-events/operational-plan-for-the-resumption-of-obedience/?fbclid=IwAR3ifZ5QUrZqQj3wi6MCq-jy252PAO3VWa2hPMDMqsBSyeFNeQLTBPPAVZI

KENNEL CLUB BOARD STATEMENT: KENNEL CLUB EVENTS

Following the statement made by The Kennel Club at the beginning of July, the Kennel Club Board would like to continue to reassure competition organisers, exhibitors and competitors that our sports committees remain committed to working on solutions to help enable shows, competitions and other events to resume as and when they can and it is safe for them to do so.

The Kennel Club appreciates the frustrations felt and experienced in trying to get events to recommence, but we are limited in giving specific direction due to the lack of clarity over the types of event which can take place. We are in regular contact with the Government, some of whose guidance is not always clear-cut, and will make a statement as and when we receive specific advice. We have been proactive within our remit to relax and suspend a range of competition regulations to assist clubs and societies with their risk assessments which are essential before a decision is made as to whether an event should go ahead.

KENNEL CLUB URGES DOG OWNERS IN NORTH DEVON TO RESPOND TO CONTROVERSIAL CONSULTATION

The Kennel Club is calling on dog owners who live in North Devon, as well as frequent visitors to the area, to respond to a wide-ranging Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) consultation that could impact their access to popular locations with their dogs.

The proposed PSPO aims to restrict access to sites such as beaches, cemeteries and parks which are often frequented by dog walkers. Furthermore, it proposes to place a dogs on lead order for large areas of land such as Braunton Burrows and the Tarka Trail. This is likely to force dog owners to use alternative sites which may be impractical and remote, or even onto agricultural land which could lead to issues with livestock.