Your event must have a Kennel Club Incident Book available for use at every show. You can obtain an incident book from our online shop for free.
Anything that occurs at an event that is 'out of the ordinary' should be considered an incident and logged in the incident book even if those involved do not wish to take any action.
Examples of incidents
- Dog out of control (whether a bite occurs or not)
- Harsh handling
- Trips or falls resulting in injury
- Change of judge
- Delayed class starting
- Change of stay times
- Printer errors (names of dogs, dog owner details)
- Dispute over entries and otherwise
- Unsatisfactory judging (person reporting must be in attendance at the show)
Biting incidents
All biting incidents must be reported regardless of how minor they may initially appear. This is true even if those involved do not wish to lodge an objection.
Objections
If an exhibitor/competitor wishes to lodge an objection to a breach of The Kennel Club regulations, then a £35 objection fee is required.
If show/trial/competition management considers there to be a breach of regulation then they are duty bound to make a report to The Kennel Club.
Any incidents recorded in the incident book should be reported to The Kennel Club within 14 days of the show/trial.
Ways to submit the incident book report
- Scanned and emailed to the working dogs activities team or breed shows team
- The incident book or a photocopy of the relevant pages sent via post to 10 Clarges Street (the incident book will be returned once noted at the office)
There are three flow charts included in the front of the Incident Book to assist show managers with the completion of the book and to explain The Kennel Club's procedures.
- The first is for a breach of The Kennel Club's regulations, where £35 will be required, except for dog bite incidents
- The second is for the recording of sub-standard judging performance for the activity disciplines (excluding field trial judges)
- The third is for sub-standard judging performance for breed show judges
All efforts should be made to talk through the incident, where possible, with all parties involved. The majority of incidents can be resolved at the event through a conversation between affected parties. Video recordings will not be admissible as evidence for any objections.
Exhibitors / competitors
If something occurs at a show/trial you should report it to the show/trial secretary who will log it in the incident book. You should indicate whether you are noting the incident only and are happy to consider it resolved, or if you wish to lodge an objection.
If you wish to lodge an objection then a £35 objection fee is required at the time of lodging the objection. Whether the incident is resolved at the time or is to be taken further, as much relevant information as possible should be noted in the incident book.
The majority of incidents can be resolved at the time through a conversation between those involved. All efforts should be made to talk through the incident, where possible, with all parties involved.
Filling in the incident book
In order for an incident to be followed up properly and a fair result achieved for everyone involved, it is obviously vital that sufficient details are taken immediately. Any witnesses should be asked if they would be willing to supply statements.
The best available details from all parties involved should be recorded; names, addresses, telephone or email address. In the case of a dog bite incident, this should include, if possible, details of the person bitten, the dog owner/handler and the identity of the dog in question. Anonymous reports will not be accepted. Every effort should be made to identify the dog(s) involved in a dog bite incident. Without the identity of the dog the incident cannot be investigated, and this is not beneficial for anyone involved in the world of dogs.
There are four questions asked in the Incident Book that allow the office to determine what action is required. It is vital that you answer these questions, particularly the last one, to allow for the office to investigate the incident in a timely manner.