Letters To The Editor CORRECTION We inadvertently left off the winner of the Ascob Cocker Spaniel and owners from list of Westminster Winners--the dog was Ch. Locsot N Gina’s Rocket Man, Owner: Isabelle Haskell Detomaso, awarded best of variety by Judge Dr. Bob G. Smith. A DEFENSE STATEMENT To All of My Dear Friends and Colleagues: I have been authorized by my attorneys to make the following statement. I regard the recent action by AKC as mistaken, without merit and ill-motivated. My personal reputation and service to the AKC and the sport of purebred dogs for decades speaks for itself, along with my family’s for nearly a century. There has never been a question regarding my character as a judge, or my integrity. I have engaged one of the nation’s largest law firms, Drinker Biddle & Reath in New York City to represent and advise me concerning the alternatives available to me in regard to AKC’s recent actions and AKC has been so notified. At my attorney’s direction, I am not able to describe all of the events and circumstances at this time, but they will be known in due course. Unfortunately, there is no assurance that the ultimate resolution of this serious and unfortunate issue will be resolved in time for me to meet many of my near term commitments to the clubs I am scheduled to judge. It is impossible to adequately thank all of you who have sent me private messages, cards and emails and those who have shared their thoughts publicly. From the bottom of my heart, my family and I thank you. Sincerely, Skip Herendeen San Antonio, TX THE KENNEL CLUB AND HOAX CALLS The Kennel Club is concerned to have received several reports of people having received unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be representing the Kennel Club or companies affiliated to the Kennel Club. Some calls have been received from a company offering supported website services and it has been suggested that this has been endorsed and sanctioned by the Kennel Club. We would like to assure anyone receiving a call that the Kennel Club and its marketing partners will only contact people regarding related services or offers if they have given permission for us to do so. If ever in doubt as to the authenticity of the approach, please contact us in order that we can verify. Anyone receiving a telephone call from someone claiming to be from the Kennel Club, should ensure that they do not give out any of their personal details or online account information, as these would never be requested during a genuine call from the Kennel Club itself. People should also be cautious about making any immediate purchase from an unsolicited call without checking the credentials of the caller. If in any doubt, ask for the person’s name and extension number and advise that you will call them back through the main Kennel Club number - 0844 4633 980. The Kennel Club also welcomes reports of any such calls on this same number or via email to web.registrations@thekennelclub.org.uk. We have been in touch with Trading Standards and the advice is that anyone receiving a call which gives them cause for concern or complaint
should report the matter to Trading Standards directly via the contact details below: Consumer Direct – 0845 404 0506 You will then be directed to the local Trading Standards Office during that phone call. Or email via the Trading Standards website: www.consumerdirect. gov.uk Go to the ‘Contact Us’ section and post your email as directed. Trading Standards will be able to advise you further and will then be able to investigate directly – but they need your individual reports in order to do so. Laura Quickfall London, England PURINA PRO PLAN HELPS FEED THE GARDEN If you have shown at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, you’ve experienced the hassle of either carting several days’ worth of dog food for every dog in your care, or worse, trying to find your favorite brand(s) of dog food in Manhattan. Fortunately, for Pro Plan loyalists, feeding the dogs is as easy as ordering carry-out. All you have to do is place the order. For the past 10 years, Pro Plan has provided, free of charge, enough Pro Plan to feed your dogs at the Garden. Beginning months before Westminster, Purina employees are busy talking with exhibitors about their “Feed the Garden” program and accepting orders for any Pro Plan or Pro Plan Selects formula. Exhibitors simply e-mail their orders to one of four Purina Breeder-Enthusiast Area Managers, specifying how much and what formula they will need to cover their days at the Garden. Once in New York, Purina staff is available from Thursday before the Garden until Tuesday of the show so exhibitors can pick up their orders. The food is stored at the Hotel Pennsylvania Pavilion and is available for pick up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In 2011, Purina shipped over 3,000 pounds of Pro Plan to New York for the Westminster weekend, enough to cover the 100-plus exhibitors who requested food. Several lucky exhibitors who had forgotten to place their orders were even able to pick up some emergency rations. Over the last several years, Pro Plan has fed most of the Group winners at the Garden, including all seven winners the past two consecutive years. Pro Plan’s “Feed the Garden” program is just one of many ways that Purina supports dogs and their breeders, owners and handlers. Purina also sponsors dog shows and other canine events, donates to health research and rescue, and provides education to breeders. In a nutshell, Purina supports, promotes and enhances the sport of purebred dogs. So, the next time you see a Purina representative, thank them for all they do for our dogs. Robert Elke St. Louis, Missouri NESTLÉ PURINA PETCARE AND THE INTERNATIONAL KENNEL CLUB SUPPORT CANINE HEALTH RESEARCH For the ninth year in row, Nestlé Purina PetCare representatives have presented a check to the AKC Canine Health Foundation at the International Kennel Club of Chicago Dog Show representing half the earnings from the 2010 Purina Parent Club Partnership (PPCP) Program. This year more than $220,000 was given to the Foundation. Since the program began in 2002, nearly $4 million has been raised for canine health research, with half the earnings going directly to the AKC Canine Health Foundation. The same evening, a $12,600 gift from the International Kennel Club (IKC) of Chicago and Purina was also presented to the AKC Canine Health Foundation. This marks the 13th year for the combined donation, which came from the IKC and Purina each contributing $5 per full-priced entry for a total of $10 per full-priced entry in the February 26th IKC Dog Show. Both gifts - totaling over $230,000 -- were presented February 26th at the Purina Invitational Ball held during the IKC Dog Show Cluster. Read the full story of Purina and IKC’s support at http://support.caninehealthfoundation.org/site/R?i=NmSXH78LNI06d6Wdfvkqzw. Ann Viklund, Purina Director of Conformation, Sporting and Breeder Marketing accompanied by Connie Wagner, Senior Manager, Breeder/Enthusiast Group and Lou Auslander, IKC President, presented the donations to the Foundation’s Chairman, Cindy Vogels and CEO, Dr. Terry Warren. Learn how you can start raising money for your breed’s health through the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program. http://support.caninehealthfoundation.org/site/R?i=hgUwsT9CbmZtGeqshsF3dw. Or show your support by making a donation to fund research today. http:// support.caninehealthfoundation.org/site/R?i=8o_s-J6cCr75lQEG_WyYnA. Terry Warren Raleigh, North Carolina Dog News 141