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More Control Needed at Agility Shows.
15 December 2003
It is not often that those of us at
the administrative end of agility, elected by you to represent your interests, are
concerned enough about a growing trend to put pen to paper. The areas we represent
usually guide us; however, from time to time something happens which requires us to
highlight our concerns.
Some years ago the Kennel Club was
concerned enough about incidents at agility shows to suggest that dogs should be kept on
lead at all times both in and around the rings and the caravan and camping parks, as is
the present regulation at breed shows. This rightly caused concern amongst competitors
and led to a sensible solution being developed from the bottom up (rather than being
imposed from above).
The sport has grown considerably
since then and we are now faced with a similar situation, but with potentially more
serious consequences. We want to bring this to your attention in order to start a debate
that we hope will lead to another sensible solution.
There has been a steady increase in
the number of dog biting cases being reported in show incident books. Quite rightly,
clubs are reporting these incidents and sending copies of reports in the incident book to
the Kennel Club. (Failure to record an incident in the record book could invalidate
insurance policies). Each of these incidents has to be investigated and is eventually
referred to a group within the Kennel Club called the Working Trials, Obedience and
Agility sub-committee.
Recent cases coming before the WTOA
sub-committee have led to two of the dogs involved being banned from competition. These
decisions have not been taken lightly, as all dog owners know, accidents can happen.
However, we all have a responsibility to ensure that dog shows are safe for everyone.
Unprovoked attacks by dogs on humans are not tolerated generally in society and surely
cannot be condoned by responsible dog owners.
Of the cases reported recently, the
most worrying involve young children working in and around the ring, helping to collect
and carry leads, or simply running judging slips backwards and forwards to the score
table. Other incidents have involved unsupervised children, playing or running in and
around caravans and car parks. We all want agility to remain a fun sport and an activity
that all the family can enjoy, but do show management, parents and handlers really
appreciate and understand the risks being run?
We are concerned that it has become
accepted practise for some agility handlers to wind their dogs up into an uncontrolled
frenzy before competition. It is self evident that dogs in this state are at their most
volatile just before and immediately after an agility round.
It is our view that if handlers
find it necessary to do this that they must take responsibility for ensuring that their
dogs are subject to tight control prior to and after their round. There has been a
suggestion that handlers having created this state in their dog should subsequently
remove the dog from the area of the rings, and take their dog through a ‘cooling down’ or
calming session following the competition. This should ensure that the dogs are not left
in vehicles or caravans in a highly charged or possibly unpredictable state.
We believe that children at an
agility show should be under parental supervision at all times, particularly when in and
around rings, or when passing through caravan or car parks. There are significant long
term benefits in involving children in canine events, and indeed we want to encourage it.
However, there is an obvious need for precautionary measures to be adopted and for extra
vigilance by both parents and dog handlers so that shows can be enjoyed by everyone.
The Kennel Club has recently
launched a new initiative ‘Safe and Sound’ and this can be found on the Kennel Club web
site. It is aimed at providing guidance to young children when with or around dogs, it is
a fun way of learning about dogs. (The site is continuously updated, and includes
educational games.)
A society running a show is
ultimately responsible for a large number of dogs/competitors, spectators and officials
for a considerable length of time. Risk assessments should be carried out by all clubs
running shows, with particular emphasis on the control of dogs, and the parental control
of children. Suitable notices around the rings, and in caravan parks etc. and notes in
the schedule should warn of the dangers.
It is hoped that this letter will
be taken in the spirit that it is intended, as supportive advice to clubs, dog owners and
parents alike to the effect that it is essential to take responsibility and anticipate
the potential for this type of incident. We want competitors, dogs and visiting children
and their parents to continue to enjoy agility competitions much as they do now.
We are taking this opportunity to
highlight the risks being run by both parents and dog owners at shows and for us to deal
with the issue before the situation gets out of hand. So we would like to start a
considered and thoughtful debate about how agility clubs and show management could reduce
the risks and whether handlers should take a more responsible attitude towards their
dogs, before, during and after competition.
We would like to hear from you.
Tony Griffin, Steve
Croxford, Val Marrian & Lesley Olden.
If you would like to join the debate in a constructive
way, send your comments to any of the above or contact Tony Griffin, 20, Monmouth Avenue,
Weymouth DT3 5JR. Tel. 01305-777856 or e-mail him on tonygriffin@lineone.net |
