Procedure for establishing violations

“Procedure for Establishing Violations”, in accordance with the WDF Regulation (Art. 16, 17, 26, 34, 35, 36).

__ Procedure for Establishing Violations__

The procedure for establishing violations serves to ensure the fairness of the show, the welfare of the dogs, and compliance with WDF rules. Any observed violation must be verified, documented, and resolved in a transparent and professional manner.

1.1. Authorities competent to establish violations

The following persons are competent to establish violations and to order measures:

a) The judge (Expert Judge)

• may stop the evaluation of a dog;
• may declare DSQ (disqualified) or N.J. (Not Judgable);
• may request additional checks — identity, dentition, behaviour, traces of interventions, etc.

b) The WDF delegate

• holds supreme authority within the event;
• may decide on the exclusion of the dog or the participant;
• may request documents and retain the qualification booklet and the judging form;
• resolves complaints and orders immediate sanctions.

c) The show veterinarian

• may establish medical issues that require the exclusion of the dog (illness, parasites, evident lactation, etc.);
• may recommend exclusion to the delegate.

1.2. Method of verifying violations

Verification may take place:

a) Before entering the ring

• upon admission to the show;
• during the check of documents and the microchip;
• in the grooming area, if non-compliant practices are observed.

b) During judging

The judge may establish:

• eliminating faults,
• aggressive behaviour,
• the impossibility of examination,
• traces of prohibited interventions (Art. 17 WDF).

The judge may temporarily or permanently stop the evaluation of the dog.

c) In the honour ring / in the final stages

The WDF delegate may re-verify:

• the identity of the placed dogs,
• compliance with the presentation regulations,
• the behaviour of the handlers.

1.3. Manner of documenting violations

Documentation is mandatory for any violation that leads to:

• DSQ (disqualification);
• N.J. (not judgable);
• exclusion of the dog;
• suspension of the participant.

Documents used:

a) The judging form

• the judge records the reason for disqualification or for awarding N.J.;
• for disqualifications related to eliminating faults, the form is retained by the delegate.

b) Report of violation

• drawn up by the WDF delegate for serious situations:
  • non-compliant identity,
  • use of prohibited substances,
  • aggressive behaviour of the handler,
  • fraud or attempted fraud.
• the report includes witnesses, evidence, and statements.

c) Retention of documents

In accordance with the WDF Regulation:

• the delegate takes the judging form and the qualification booklet in case of disqualification for eliminating faults or fraud (Art. 16 WDF).

d) Note in the WDF delegate’s report

All measures are mentioned in the official report submitted to the WDF.

1.4. Communicating the decision to exhibitors

The communication is made clearly, firmly, and with respect, as follows:

a) The judge’s decision

• The judge communicates the decision verbally in the ring.
• Where appropriate, the judge explains the official reason for the DSQ or N.J. grade.
• Exhibitors are obliged to leave the ring immediately.

b) The WDF delegate’s decision

• The delegate communicates the decision verbally and records it in the official documents.
• The delegate may request the exhibitor’s signature as proof of acknowledgement.

c) Handing over / retention of documents

• In situations requiring the retention of documents (e.g., disqualification on serious grounds), the exhibitor is informed that the judging form and the qualification booklet will be submitted to the WDF.

d) Written notice

At the exhibitor’s request, the following may be provided:

• a copy of the report of violation,
• an extract from the WDF delegate’s report.

e) The right to complain

Exhibitors are informed that they may file a complaint in accordance with the official procedure, before the judging of the breed is concluded (Art. 36 WDF).

1.5. Conclusion of the procedure

After documentation and communication:

• the dog or participant is directed to leave the show area;
• the incident report is signed by the persons involved;
• the organiser and the delegate submit the documents to the WDF, where applicable.