PAMELA J EDGINGTON
07 June, 2010

Sirs 

Crufts 2010 – Accredited Breeder Status 

I am in receipt of the renewal for the Accredited Breeder Scheme for 2010/2011. (see below) It is rather like receiving another humiliating blow. 

Possibly you are all not aware of the reasons.  I will explain if you will permit me to put forward my point of view.  I do and have done every possible Health check for my German Shepherds, Hip scoring, JRD/DNA Testing, Breed Surveys and only breeding from Grade 1 Surveyed bitches.    Also selecting suitably tested males.  But for whatever reason one of your Officials saw fit this year to Evict me and my young GSD from Crufts on the grounds she was “unsound”.    

Your press announcement said “An abnormality of the Hindquarters”.    Will you please read the attached letter from a BVA/KC Veterinary (see below) regarding her hip screening which I do as standard at 6 months. 

In evicting me your Official actually broke one of your own Regulations. 

Received from the KC in the Crufts Exhibitors pack a leaflet entitled:-

Notice to Exhibitors
Regulation F(1)15 - Exclusion of dogs.
Paragraph 3 reads:-

By way of a reminder to exhibitors, under Regulation F(1)15 (Exclusion of Dogs) if in the opinion of the Show Secretary, Show Manager or duly appointed official of the Kennel Club any dog is suffering from a visible condition which adversely affects its health or welfare the dog must be examined by the Veterinary Surgeon of the show to establish the validity of the allegation. The Veterinary Surgeon's opinion shall be final and if the allegation is upheld, the dog shall be excluded from all subsequent competition at the Show, including the Group.  However, the dog may remain at the show.   

I would be very pleased to hear how the Kennel Club responds to this.  I am 76 and your Official could have been more sympathetic and asked me to withdraw from the display team and enjoy the rest of Crufts leaving my youngster with our Dog Minder. This I would have done.   But no … it was ‘GO’ a rather harsh decision was it not in light of your above Regulation?  I was too stunned to ask his name and too humiliated to retaliate.

In view of the above how can the Kennel Club justify asking me to renew my subscription to a Scheme when you show no consideration to facts?  Under the circumstances it actually means nothing, just a piece of paper with words on it.  Or that is how I now see it.  I have never once been checked out.  I have also been in the German Shepherd scene for some 50 years and a breeder since 1985.  Only having bred 12 litters in this period of time I would hardly consider it prolific.  Careful selective breeding in fact – for my next generation. 

Whilst I am now aware my young GSD should not have been on the Team, it was by Invitation and I presumed, obviously incorrectly, that this was in order for a Puppy Foundation which is for puppies with no minimum age limit other than the 10 week inoculation time.   I must add that at the time of the eviction the puppy’s age was NOT known by the Kennel Club and did not enter into the equation.

In conclusion I would add that having worked for a plc at Main Board level I am very au fait as to how the Chairman, Chief Executive and Main Board Directors are protected.  It would be nice, just once, to have my faith in humanity restored and not have my letter ‘redirected’. 

I look forward to your comments and an apology for the humiliation. 

Yours faithfully 

PAMELA J EDGINGTON (Mrs)
STARKSTROM GSDs 

Encl.  1) Veterinary assessment letter, April 2010

          2) A copy of your letter requesting I renew my membership to the ABS