adopted 1st July 2004 – unanimous vote!
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CODE OF ETHICS
to uphold and promote the heritage of the Clumber Spaniel and its interests by

• adhering to the CSLV Code of Practice
• promoting and supporting the CSLV Statement of Purposes

CODE OF PRACTICE
As the membership of the Clumber Spaniel League Victoria is drawn from a broad base and may well represent countries other than Australia, the League has adopted a two part code of practice, which should avoid conflicts with other codes of ethics a member may have already had to adopt.

OPERATION OUTSIDE THE CODE OF PRACTICE
Obviously practices and ideas change over time and some leeway must be offered to members to develop and/or experiment with new techniques.
Consequently members agree to abide by any adopted Code of Practice and if they wish to do something outside the code of practice they should be considered ‘covered’ by the League if they supply a short written statement of what they want to do before they do it with a reason or reasons.
There should never be a thought of ‘chucking’ someone out if they notify the League before they go outside the CoP. Such a member is then in a good position to lobby for a change of clause or clauses as they have taken the time to respect the League’s CoP, communicated their thoughts with the League and also will have the evidence to support their until now (probably) untested idea.
Penalties for operating outside the Code of Practice will be adopted from time to time by the CSLV and published and circulated as deemed by the CSLV, and should appear with the date of adoption at the end of the Code of Practice

CLUMBER SPANIEL LEAGUE CODE OF PRACTICE part A

Members will

• abide by the immediate kennel registry’s code of ethics (eg Victorian residents to abide by any relevant Code of Ethics issued by the Victorian Canine Association; New South Wales residents to abide by any relevant Code of Ethics issued by the Royal New South Wales Canine Council; etc) and to supply a hard copy of this to any purchasers or people seriously enquiring about obtaining a Clumber Spaniel
• abide by any relevant local laws or laws having jurisdiction over their place of residence and to encourage any purchasers or people seriously enquiring about obtaining a Clumber Spaniel to familiarize themselves and implement any required by jurisdiction at their place of residence
• abide by the constitution, rules and regulations, and code of ethics, of the Clumber Spaniel League Victoria (CSLV)
• supply a CSLV membership application form to any purchasers or people seriously enquiring about obtaining a Clumber Spaniel who they believe may not be a current financial member
• where possible implement and support the Clumber Spaniel League Victoria’s Statement of Purposes

CLUMBER SPANIEL LEAGUE CODE OF PRACTICE part B

not withstanding CLUMBER SPANIEL LEAGUE CODE OF PRACTICE part A, members agree to adopt the following

Care:

• to house and care for any and all of their dogs (not limited to Clumber Spaniels) in a healthy, happy and appropriate manner which will include
• at least daily exercise,
• at least daily cleaning up of droppings in confined areas,
• to ensure access is available to fresh water each day,
• providing free access to shelter from rain, sun, and direct draughts, and other elements at all times,
• ensuring all dogs are content and happy and not barking to excess,
• not allowing their dogs to cause unnecessary concern to visitors or neighbours,
• ensure any dogs owned or visiting meet council regulations,
• ensure that any and all of your dogs are exercised in public spaces in accordance with local bylaws and state laws
• regular grooming
• ensure any visiting or rescued dog are kept in this manner while under your care

Breeding:

• when choosing two Clumbers to mate, ensure you have considered
• soundness of temperament
• soundness of conformation
• general health
• the breed type/shape/form as described by your nationally adopted breed standard
• in most cases, not to mate any Clumber Spaniel bitch under the age of 24 months but where possible ensure the bitch’s first breeding will fall between 28 months (2 years 4 months) and 44 months (3 years 10 months)
• in most cases, not to breed more than three litters from any one bitch
• in most cases, allow at least 18 months between mating dates when attempting to secure a second litter
• to aspire to become a certified breeder member of the CSLV when such a scheme is available, it being noted the certified breeder member scheme is to identify experienced Clumber breeders but in no way is to be considered to undervalue the usefulness of people who are members but don’t actually meet the certified breeder requirements at any time
• the owner of any bitch accepted to stud by a CSLV member must be a member of the CSLV or sign a statement declaring they will adopt the CSLV Code of Practice for two (2) years from the first date of mating, it should be noted the object of this clause is that as members of CSLV we expected a certain level of care from those we help to breed even if such people have no wish to join the CSLV

 

 

Selling: (includes Clumbers placed at no financial cost to the new owner)

• to offer all enquirers and specifically all would be purchasers
• (it should be noted that many of these are a requirement under many ANKC affiliate state’s Code of Ethics in any case)
• proposed diet (and with preference being given to a diet known to produce well nourished, strong, and healthy adults)
• vaccination records and also vaccination protocols (eg when the next is due); to explain fully what product was used and what it should cover, and to explain the limitations of vaccinations, advise overseas buyers to immediately vaccinate on arrival in a new country with a locally produced vaccine
• as for vaccination, detailed instructions and certification is to be supplied to purchaser of worming protocols, including heartworm protocols
• detailed instructions and certification is to be supplied to purchaser of any systemic drugs used or applied to the dog for sale, such as flea and tick control preparations
• detailed written information, which you must also discuss with the buyer, of any health or temperament issues of any degree associated with the dog for sale, whether or not attended to by a veterinary surgeon
• detailed written information, which you must also discuss with the buyer, on any health or temperament issues of any degree known or suspected to have occurred in any siblings, either parent or their siblings, any grandparent
• to only sell registered Clumbers (the choice of full register or limited register is at your discretion; however, you must clearly inform the purchaser of actual registration status)
• ensure the transfer papers are completed and submitted according to their controlling body regulations
• to clearly indicate, preferably in writing, the stage of training the Clumber has achieved, be it none, or basic show training, etc
• to provide clear and accurate contacts for your purchaser to reach you 24 hours a day and ask the purchaser to respect one’s privacy and appropriate hours of contact
• to promote and advertise your kennel in an honest fashion at all times; members are reminded that each country has laws guarding against cons, glib salesmanship and fraud, which extend to advertising
• to not sell to anybody who may be considered a dealer, puppy mill, puppy farmer or has recently been banned or suspended from their country’s kennel control.
• to not sell to anybody who has recently been banned or suspended (and that ban has been published & declared) from any Clumber Spaniel club unless written notification and documented reasonable reasons being supplied to the CSLV at the same time (before the sale, unless a contract had been previously entered into before the ban was effected)

Rescue or Re-homing (part of selling)
The CSLV were asked to nominate the breeder as the sole person responsible for rescue/rehoming of a dog but by doing so means a buyer takes no responsibility in rehoming a dog (with or without consultation with the breeder) Consequently the next two points are the CSLV’s adopted Code of Practice

• is to be undertaken by the immediate past seller, the rationale being that the immediate past seller made the contract of sale and hopefully had ensure all reasonable care could be afforded to the dog, however,
• if this is not possible, the seller is to undertake disbursement of all reasonable costs incurred by any CSLV member who undertakes the rescue/rehome policy. In this case, all accounts will be supplied in hardcopy within 30 days of incurment and the seller will undertake to pay these out within 60 days unless they can strike an agreement with the rescuer. It should be noted that if a CSLV member rehomes a Clumber and this placement proves a failure, the said CSLV member will be deemed the seller in this subsequent rescue/rehome.

Buyers (including people receiving a Clumber at no financial cost)

• undertake to have all appropriate facilities for care (see CSLV Code of Practice) and meet all statutory regulations before finalizing the hand over of the Clumber Spaniel
• to honour and uphold the CSLV Code of Practice in full
• take full responsibility for finding a satisfactory new home for any and all of their dogs, be they Clumber Spaniels or otherwise, should they need to part with their dogs, however, such a buyer is urged to contact the immediate past seller and breeder before rehoming a dog.

Exhibition, public promotion, and competing:

• to treat all fellow competitors at all times with due respect and courtesy
• never interfering with competitors or their dogs
• allow competitors to exhibit their dogs fairly and to the best advantage, for example not to employ mind games, crowd a dog in the ring, distract another exhibitor at assembly, but certainly not limited to these ploys of unethical conduct
• to report any major or serious breach/es of controlling body rules
• to acquiesce to handling for another competitor if they are ‘caught short’ and you are nor encumbered with the care of your own dogs; the concept being we want a friendly atmosphere and to see Clumbers competing in a public venue
• to present any and all of your dogs in a neat, clean, well groomed and well conditioned fashion
• to not use or condone the use of any substance or technique which will hide faults, including poor coat texture, or colour of markings, or surgery
• to dress and conform to acceptable standards
• to not approach any official before competition with the view to influencing their actions
• to conform to all controlling body rules and requirements
• to politely answer and assist all who are interested in the breed, with verbal answers, and information on where they can source written documents, and find relevant clubs

 

 

Penalties for Operating Outside the Code of Practice
Until the Code of Practice is adopted and has been in operation for 24 months the CSLV will have no penalties for a member operating outside the Code of Practice

To facilitate adoption of the Code of Practice by members the CSLV office will make available appropriate stationery or masters (such as puppy/purchaser checklists), and until these are drafted and available no penalties for operating outside the Code of Practice can be adopted or implemented for at least 3 months.

The CSLV sees the Code of Practice as protection for breeders, sellers, buyers, and most importantly the Clumber Spaniel, so penalties are to be low keyed and probably operate on a demerit point scheme with the option for the culprit to redeem these demerit points by a cash donation or working for the CSLV in promotion or general operation. The exception being when a member is constantly in violation of the Code of Practice or refuses to defray accumulated demerit points

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D:recordsclubscslvregs etccopballotfinalballot.wpd

ADOPTED AGM 9-9-2006

penalties under the CSLV Code of Practice.

CSLV adopt for the 4 year period ending AGM 2010 the following penalty rate:

GRADE A OFFENCES for any designated breach notified & reason for the breach in writing to the Secretary by the offender within 60 days of the said offence

• 1st offence zero penalty but a record of the offence & reason to be registered on closed books
• 2nd offence zero penalty but a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences to be registered on closed books
• 3rd offence zero penalty but a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences recorded to be registered on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years

GRADE B OFFENCES if a report of an offence is lodged in writing with the secretary within 6 months of the alleged breach &
if the offender can supply a written reason as to the breach that is accepted by the Review Committee within 60 days of a request to reply to allegation

• 1st offence zero penalty but a record of the offence & reason to be registered on on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years
• 2nd offence $20 penalty and a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years
• 3rd offence $50 penalty and a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences recorded to be registered on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years

GRADE C OFFENCES if a report of an offence is lodged in writing with the secretary within 6 months of the alleged breach & if the offender cannot supply a written reason as to the breach that is accepted by the Review Committee within 60 days of a request to reply to allegation

• 1st offence $20 penalty and a record of the offence & reason to be registered on on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years
• 2nd offence $40 penalty and a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years
• 3rd offence $60 penalty and a record of the offence & reason & all preceding offences recorded to be registered on OPEN books which may include open access websites for a period not less than 12 months and not more than 5 years

REPEAT OFFENCES – repeat offenders with three or more proven or accepted breaches on the books within a five year period
penalty at the discretion of the membership at an SGM based on the recommendation of the review committee

REVIEW COMMITTEE
to be appointed by the President or another CSLV member who is not charged & the review committee shall not include persons even remotely involved – review committee may include people who are not current members of the CSLV, and the offender and complainant have the right to challenge any appointment

and additional clause added:

any money raised from this penalty code will be contributed to the club’s Welfare Fund
moved J Irving seconded C McMaster carried