A team will be assigned by the event giving organization, under the supervision of a SADSA official; to verify and ensure the respect of the animal welfare regulations. The team will be lead by the AWO (Animal Welfare Officer). The AWO will report to the VET in charge, respectively the SADSA board.
a) At all SADSA sanctioned Events it is the responsibility of the event giving organization, that at least 1 VET and the AWO are present during all runs. The VET must not be involved in doping tests or other activities during this time. After event hours a VET and the AWO must be on call.
b) The VET and AWO may not be the same on all event days. The AWO will be assigned by the SADSA officials and the event giving organization. The AWO may but does not have to be a SADSA board member.
c) The AWO will issue an AWE (Animal Welfare Evaluation) after the event. This AWE will become part of the official event report.
a) Minor offences will be brought to the attention of the Musher involved. The deficiencies have be corrected immediately and noted in the AWE.
b) Major rules infractions will be reported to the Event Marshal. The EM will immediately and in collaboration with the AWO and if necessary with the VET to contact the team leader and or the competitor to find a solution to correct any deficiency. If that not possible or if the competitor refuses to accept a proposed solution, the team will be disqualified from the event and must leave the stake-out area within the shortest possible time. This will be noted in the AWE.
In case of a Major offence as per the SADSA Animal Welfare and/or regulations but other International Animal Welfare laws or local laws the team will be disqualified from the event and must leave the stake-out area within the shortest possible time. This will be noted in the AWE. The SADSA reserves the rights to exclude the musher from future participation in SADSA events.
The dogs housed in the stake-out area must be sheltered in their boxes in extreme weather conditions (to be determined by the AWO) and at night. The dogs will be taken out of their boxes at reasonable intervals, of sufficient duration, so that they may move about and relieve themselves.
The dog musher and his assistants or other people being part of the team are equally responsible for the well being of the dogs. The Event Marshal will evaluate and penalize any rough our untoward treatment of dogs.
NOTE: Any local or International legal rights or proceedings resulting from actions at an event and involving a participating team are not covered under these SADSA Animal Welfare Regulations and shall be addressed by the parties involved outside the SADSA jurisdiction.
a) The musher’s bib or event participation number shall be made visible behind the windscreen of his vehicle.
b) All dogs will be identified as per the Event Rules valid at that time.
a) Any medication which is only available on prescription that will be administered either oral, by injection or otherwise to any dog in the stake-out must be reported to the AWO prior the first run. Failure to report such medication will be classified as a minor offence.
b) Dogs directly participating in the competition and that are subject to the administration of medication must be reported to the VET or AWO. Failure to report will be considered as a major offence.
c) The VET and/or the EM have the right to disqualify a dog that is under medication. Exceptions are up to the VET and will be noted in the AWE.
d) Doping samples will be taken according to the Event Rules valid at that time.
e) Exceptions to these rules are food supplements that have not been identified as medications such as (for example): vitamins, minerals, “Canikur”, galantine powder, “Canosan”. In case of a doubt the musher should consult the AWO or VET.
a) Dogs, whether participating or not in the event, with obvious clinical signs of infectious illnesses like cough, diarrhea or similar must not be brought to the stake-out area. The Event Marshal, VET or AWO have the right to immediately send the team away from the stake-out. This will be recorded in the AWE. Bringing a dog with a contagious illness to the event is considered a major rules violation.
b) If symptoms of an illness only appear after the animal’s arrival at the stake out, the VET shall be informed immediately. The VET will decide on how to proceed, and will inform the Event Marshal and AWO. The decision of the Event Marshal is final. It will be recorded in AWE.
c) Any dog that presents cardiac abnormalities during an event will be disqualified from further participation in that event. A dog that dies during the event will be required to undergo a post mortem examination by an approved and neutral institution to determine the possible cause. The examination will be at the dog musher’s expense. Should the examination lead to the definitive conclusion that the death did not result from unforeseeable natural causes, the dog musher will be disqualified even after the event and any possible title will be revoked. The VET may ask the Event Marshal to disqualify the team from any further participation in the event he finds that other dogs in the team are at risk of cardiac failure or similar afflictions.
a) The temperature and humidity conditions are to be closely monitored by the Event Marshal in view of any eventual preventive action to safeguard the dogs’ well-being.
b) The Event Marshal or AWO shall measure the air temperature, at a height of one meter from the ground surface, prior to the first start. The measurement shall be taken first in the shade, and then repeated in the sun, and the average of the two measurements shall be calculated.
1. For canicross events is below 12°C.
2. For Bikejoring, scooter and team events is below 10°C
3. The critical temperature allowing only the minimum recommended distances to be held.
c) Should the average temperature be higher, corrective action must be taken such as shortening the trail, reschedule of starting times or cancellation of the run. Also the trail layout (proportion of shaded zoned vs. open trail) as well as the expected development of the weather conditions during the day must be considered.
d) The mushers will be advised of the conditions and any action taken by the Event Marshal at the musher’s or team leader meeting prior the first start.
e) Other requirements:
1. There should be a tent or room available exclusively for the VET for dog examinations and/or treatments.2. Examinations of dogs in the start or finish areas, or on the trail, should not be done in public. Minimal means shall be available (e.g. large blankets or screens) to restrict the free view of any spectator or person not being directly involved.
a) The lengths of the individual dog lead cables or chains must not be affected (i.e. shortened) by twisting or torsion due to the animals’ movements . There has to be at least one swivel at the dogs lead cable or chain. Fire fighter shackles or other attachment snaps that may tangle in the chain or cause injury to the dog are not permitted. All equipment must be of such condition that injuries to the dog are impossible. Chain links and attachment rings shall be of adequate size and steel cable shall be gained with a protective coating with no open ends. A simple test will suffice: take hold of the end of collar snap and rotate the chain or cable in a circle as if a dog was running around on it. The chain or cable should not twist up easily.
b) The lead to the dog must be of adequate length to allow the dog to stand or lie down comfortably.
c) The distance between the dogs must be such that each dog can move about comfortably without becoming entangled in the lines of the neighbouring dogs.
d) Stake-out attachment posts must be at sufficient distance from the dog lead chains so that the dogs closest to the posts cannot become snubbed up against them. e) Dogs must not be left unsupervised at the stake-out for very long periods.
a) Dogs may be attached directly to the transport vehicle.
b) In this case it must be ensured that there is no risk of harm or injury to the dogs from any element of the vehicle. Particular attention shall be given to the safety of dogs dropped near pathways intended for vehicle, dog team, or spectator traffic.
c) Contamination or other health or safety incidents due to oil, gasoline, diesel fuel or other hazardous / toxic products must be prevented.
d) The condition of the dog drop chains or cables must be as mentioned in Point 5. Particular care shall be taken to ensure adequate length to permit the dogs to lie down comfortably.
a) The box size shall be adequate to allow any dog to easily stand, turn or lie down.
b) The boxes shall provide the dogs with appropriate protection from weather. They shall be adequately ventilated to allow for minimum condensation inside the box, but should not be excessively drafty. There should be no sharp corners, screws or other material that could injure the dog. Portable transport boxes, if used, must not be left outdoors without supplementary protection from the weather.
c) Trailers shall be equipped with a good shock absorption system and must not allow any exhaust fumes to enter the boxes when the trailer is being pulled behind an automobile.
a) The utmost attention shall be given to hygiene independent of the type of stake-out chosen.
b) Stake-out, boxes and surroundings need to be kept clean.
c) Box inserts must be kept clean and in good repair.
d) Any infractions noted by the AWO shall be corrected as promptly as possible. Failure to do so will be considered a major offence.
Animal Welfare has first priority over any event related issue. These Animal Welfare Regulations are a SADSA guideline and may be extended by local regulations, event announcements or other circumstances. Event Giving Organizations should ensure that national or local regulations which may differ from the present guidelines are easily and obviously available to mushers. Animal Welfare has first priority over any event related issue. These Animal Welfare Regulations are a SADSA guideline and may be extended by local regulations, event announcements or other circumstances. Event Giving Organizations should ensure that national or local regulations which may differ from the present guidelines are easily and obviously available to mushers.
