Dog Injury Policy for Competition

Introduction:

This Policy is to ensure that dogs are fit and healthy for competition.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that Dogs do not cause themselves further injury by competing when they are unfit to do so.

Policy Statement:

ADAA Policy is to only allow fit and healthy Dogs to compete at a sanctioned ADAA Competition for Titles. A Wrap (often called a Vet-Wrap) and/or a Protective Boot is not to be used to mask an injury and/or provide a competitive advantage.

Definitions:

Competition – ADAA sanctioned Competition for Titles.

Dog – a Dog registered on ADAA’s International Programme Register or Regular Programme Register.

Judge – Judge appointed and currently authorised to officiate at ADAA events.

Responsibilities:

Director Judging (DJ) – Board Member that will usually manage and approve these requests.

Procedure:

1. Application of the Policy
   1. If a Dog has recovered from a previous injury and wears a Wrap on a limb or Protective Boot over a paw to prevent any aggravation of a previous injury, then ADAA normally requires the Wrap or Protective Boot be removed while competing even though it may be worn in between classes at a Competition.
   2. Notwithstanding, the Board of Directors of ADAA may consider a written request, on an exception basis, for specific short term use of a Wrap or Protective Boot. This must be accompanied by a written certificate/letter issued by a Veterinarian that outlines the reason for needing the wrap/boot and their opinion of likely duration for its need. Approval for such requests submitted to ADAA should not be assumed. Under normal circumstances it is the Director Judging (DJ) that is the responsible Board Member that will manage and approve these requests.
   3. Any such approval granted by ADAA should be considered to be in the best interests of the Dog to reduce or prevent the chance of aggravating a previous injury and must not provide any competitive advantage or be likely to place the Dog at risk. Any approval granted must provide an end date by the approving authority (based on advice from the Veterinarian) and will not normally be an open ended approval to wear a Wrap or Protective Boot.
2. Exclusions
   1. Under no circumstance may a Dog wear a Bandage that can come loose (unravel) and cause a safety issue (eg could be caught on equipment).
   2. No approval may be given if a Dog has been administered prescription drugs as a means of allowing them to compete.
   3. It is not appropriate for a Dog to be competing if it still has stitches that have not been removed.
3. Single Day Competitions
   1. This Policy is not designed for use at normal single day competition in which it is recommended that the dog be withdrawn and rested if there is an injury, even a minor injury.
4. Multiple-Day Competitions
   1. If a minor injury or aggravation of a previous injury occurs while the dog is competing at a multiple-day competition, especially larger events like State Championships or National Grand Prix, formal written approval through normal channels might be difficult to obtain in such a short time frame. In such a case, the Director Judging, any other Director of the Board, or any member of the Judges’ Management Committee present at the competition, may provide approval to compete for the rest of the multiple-day competition. This does not preclude the requirement to show a Veterinary certificate/letter that supports the requirement for the Dog to wear a wrap or boot. Such a letter from a Veterinarian may be hand written by a Veterinarian present at the competition, including by Members who are practicing Veterinarians. Ideally, such ADAA approval will be given in writing, for example on the letter from the Veterinarian and both parties retain a copy.
   2. If there are no Members of the Board or the Judges’ Management Committee in attendance at a Competition, then a Judge present at the competition (the officiating Judge or another Judge) may contact the Director Judging or, failing that, any other Member of the Board or, failing that, a member of the Judges’ Management Committee (JMC) to provide details, confirm they have a letter from a Veterinarian and seek approval for the dog to compete. Such approval will have an end date and will usually just allow the dog to compete until the end of that multi-day competition.
5. Records of approval
   1. In all circumstances, details of each approval including the circumstances, restrictions and Dog/Handler names is to be advised by the approving authority to the Director Judging via email as soon as possible, but, in any case, no more than 48 hours after the approval has been granted.
   2. If approval is granted, a member of the Board of Directors, usually the Director Judging will responsible to ensure ADAA’s records reflect the approval and the time frame given before the Wrap/Boot may no longer be worn during competing.
6. Extensions
   1. Any extension to the end date in the approval from ADAA will require a new application from the Member, accompanied by a letter from the Veterinarian, outlining the reason for an extension. An extension may only be approved by the Director Judging and/or the ADAA Board of Directors.

Stakeholders to be consulted prior to policy change:

Board of Directors

Related documents:

Agility Regulations POL-AR-001

Document Number: POL-MEM-032/3
31 October 2020