Every person who enters a SADSA sanctioned event as a musher, registration of his sled dogs, or handled a dog, officiated, taken part in any SADSA Mushing/Sledding Event, holds SADSA affiliated membership, is a KUSA registered or unregistered owner, or holds membership of any club, federation or association, national or international, shall be bound to this SADSA Musher Code of Ethics relating to responsible dog ownership including the keeping, mushing/ sledding & working, welfare, breeding, selling and disposing of dogs as detailed below.

 ·  Attempt in order to promote the highest ideals among the sled dog owners and breeders ensure the safety and well-being of all dogs owned by me is my first priority at all times.

 ·  Ensure that at all times such dogs are properly housed, watered, exercised and receive the necessary veterinary attention from a qualified person, as and when required should they become sick or injured;

 ·  Provide adequate shelter for any dog/s kept outdoors on your premises;

 ·  To exercise good sportsmanship in all sled dog events and activities.

 ·  Attempt to be helpful and assist novice mushers (especially), sledding enthusiasts, breeders and pet owners.

 ·  Help to encourage sled dog owners to train and work their dogs in harness so that the primary function of these breeds may be perpetuated.

 ·  Never to participate in mushing/sledding without proper safety equipment.

 ·  Ensure that the exercise area for such dogs be of sufficient size for the movement of such dog/s and to have the exercise area/s fenced or walled so as to prevent the escaping of such dog/s from their property and that the exercise area is kept clean;

 ·  Ensure that correct control is exercised with regard to Municipal Meter Readers, Postmen etc, whilst recognising at the same time that such dog is there to protect the owners and their property;

 ·  Ensure that such dog/s does not cause a public nuisance to any neighbour;

 ·  Not allow such dogs to roam at large, keep their dogs on a lead, and under effective control, in all Public spaces, except those specially designated where the dogs must be trained to return on command;

 ·  Clean up after such dogs according to Municipal Regulations in any Public place or place where they are being exhibited or exercised;

 ·  Not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of mushing and their breeds, nor falsely advertise or mislead any person regarding the performance and/or quality or health of any dog;

 · Ensure that all persons acquiring dogs from them clearly understand their responsibilities for the care and welfare of such dogs and they, the new owners, have the time and facilities to undertake their obligations as laid down in this Code of Ethics;

 ·  Provide to all persons acquiring dogs from them, whether by sale or gift or some other means, written details of all dietary and immunization requirements and/or an appropriate publication relating to such requirements and responsible dog ownership;

 ·  Ensure that the correct inoculations, as required by law, are administered at the proper time;

 ·  Bring to the attention of the appropriate authority cases of alleged fraud, dishonesty, cruelty or neglect and not commit such offences themselves;

 ·  Will not engage in dog fighting;

 ·  Being in good standing;

 ·  By having completed and signed a Club Application Form;

 · Having submitted a signed Mushers Check List and Release Form with every Event entry – at club, regional or national level events;

 ·  Having submitted certified copies of KUSA Pedigree Certification for purebred entries;

 ·  Having submitted proof of dog’s identification with Vet Health Certificate as proof of vaccinations;

 ·  Not have had any disciplinary action successfully brought against you either by SADSA, any other Sleddog Club, Musher or Person or a Control Body for the Sport;

 ·  Have not engaged in any activity which would have brought sled dog sports, name of any organization or person involved in the sport, into disrepute.  

Any person or persons as designated above, who fails to observe any of the provisions of the SADSA Musher Code of Ethics as detailed, resulting in a judgement against such person or persons in a Court of Law, may be dealt with in terms of the SADSA Disciplinary Code.