S.B.T. Kennel Club Liaison Council Delegate’s Report
David Levy 16th November, 2002
KC Liaison Council
The next meeting is on Thursday 28th November
Results of previous recommendations
· That the KC use the Stud Book Band system to provide different requirements for junior warrant – More information to be provided at the meeting
· To allow removal of a previous affix – Still under consideration
· The KC to publish ECVO eye results as well as KC/BVA in Breed Record Supplement – Recent press releases indicate that the KC has embraced the idea but some practical difficulties relating to micro-chipping are still to be ironed out.
· Request to reduce the minimum number of entries needing to be present – The General committee feels that less than 12 would provide an ineffective assessment but is considering a suggestion of “mock classes”.
New items proposed (if any club has a strong view on any item then please let me know). Please note that this Breed Council has previously raised some of these items.
· General championship shows should be encouraged to rotate groups in successive years
· That winner of best puppy in breed be awarded junior warrant points
· “Giant breeds” to be benched at ground level
· That all championship shows provide benches and rings adequate for the breed in accordance with regulations
· That all Stud Book Band A breeds be exempted from the 3 per class rule at open shows where they are classified
· That evaluator and assessor expenses should be reimbursed by the KC
· That nominations to award CCs should wherever possible be taken from Breed Club’s Judges Lists.
· That voting for first time CC judges should be open to all committee members of Breed Clubs rather than confined to a judges sub-committee
· That application be made for a licence to institute a canine blood bank
· That group placings at Championship shows qualify for Crufts and are awarded a Stud Book number
· That Stud Book Group E breed Crufts qualification be extended to Special Yearling and Graduate classes
· That restrictions be placed on who can advertise progeny on the KC Puppy Sales Register (e.g. member of a relevant breed club, signed up to code of ethics and must have affix)
Item for discussion
· If the purpose of assessors is ring procedures and not placing competence then wouldn’t it be better to have assessors from other breeds to avoid bias?
The next meeting of the Liaison Council will be on Thursday 20th May, 2003 and agenda items must be received by the KC by 28th February.
Dangerous Dogs Legislation
The situation continues to change almost weekly. Since the last BC meeting legislation has been proposed TO INCLUDE BANS ON STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS in Luxembourg, Norway and the state of Tyrol in Austria. At the same time, the State of Upper Austria has introduced non-breed specific legislation. Protests against proposed bans on Staffords continue in Spain.
I have attended several meetings at the Kennel Club including DLAG and a meeting with the Metropolitan Police. Delegates may have seen the announcement in this week’s dog press regarding the release of several “limbo” dogs held under the DDA and I believe that the KC should be congratulated for their efforts. A letter from the Breed Council might be appropriate.
I have obtained a copy of a book “Fatal Dog Attacks” published in the USA by a Veterinary Scientist which deals with the facts surrounding every fatal attack in the US since 1965. There are just 2 references to Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the entire book. The book points out that the term “pit bull” is frequently misused by the media to include other breeds such as the SBT. The second reference is to state:
“STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIERS
There are no known fatalities attributed to Staffordshire Bull Terriers.”
Westminster
Following the last meeting I wrote and issued an article entitled “It’s time to protect the public” which was published in the Kennel Gazette. A copy of that article has been sent to every MP and MEP and the results have been published on the web site inviting dog owners to follow up with their own MP/MEP. Several MPs have responded very positively and I am currently working with the KC to arrange a meeting with a representative of each main party. I suggest that SBT Breed Council involvement should wait to see how that meeting progresses.
Battersea Dogs Home
I was recently asked to visit Battersea Dogs Home again along with Phil Buckley from the KC. When Harry Coble and I visited in December last year, we saw 32 dogs with Stafford characteristics of which just 3, in our opinion, were pure-bred Staffords – typical of the breed.
This time, just 9 months later, and bearing in mind it was just after the summer holiday period with the home only 50% full, I saw 29 Stafford types. This time 20 (yes twenty) were what I considered to be typical Staffordshire Bull Terriers; dogs that even if not all absolutely top class, were certainly good enough to see in open shows. Of the others, 6 were probably SBT crosses and just 3 were what I call “bull and terriers”, the dogs frequently, but incorrectly referred to as “old fashioned” or “Irish” Staffords.
BAAF
I have reviewed an advisory document produced on behalf of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering to advise local authorities on how to consider homes with dogs as to their suitability for adoption or fostering of young children. I made some suggestions dealing mainly with breeds and legislation that have been incorporated. The leaflet should be published in early 2003.
David Levy
16th November, 2002
Staffords.co.uk / K.C.Liaison/ K.C.B.L.O. Reports / KCBLO Report 16.11.02