Rules and Policies of the AFA

 

PDF version September 2007(for printing or Viewing), also refer to new policies on trial.

 

Version September 2007 of the AFA Rules & Policies is available for purchase for $6-00 (includes postage & Handling) in a hand book size. To order complete form & send to AFA postal address.


NOTIFICATION #3 & 4 OF AFA RULE AMENDMENTS ADOPTED AT 2008 AGM - download pdf

It will take some time for the AFA to arrange to have the new Rules incorporated into a reprinting of the Red Rule book. Pending such a reprint the Committee suggests that those members who wish to update their Rule Books print a copy of this advice and insert it into the Rule Book .

Three Policies below adopted at 2008 AGM:

  • AFA Privacy Policy
  • Dog Behaviour Policy
  • Training Day Policy

 

Items reproduced by kind permission of the North American Flyball Association




AFA Privacy Policy: (Policy on trial from 11 November 2007 & then adopted at 2008 AGM)


We are committed to protecting your privacy. We will only use the information that we collect about you lawfully.

We collect information about you for three reasons:

  • To enable us to administer and coordinate the sport of Flyball in Australia
  • To enable us to keep you up to date with Flyball activities
  • To enable us to authorise/host competitions at which you and your dog/s can compete in Flyball

Once you have provided us with your contact details, we will use the most efficient method of communication to keep you up to date with AFA activities.

The type of information we collect about you includes:

  • your name, address, phone number/s & email address
  • dog’s name, breed, age, sex, microchip numbers and desexing status
  • the name of the team/club to which you belong
  • the name and phone number of your team/club co-ordinator
  • any AFA qualifications you obtain ( Judge, Steward, Timekeeper)
  • the points which your dog/s accumulate in Flyball Competitions
  • Reports from officials and witness statements about your own behaviour and your dog/s behaviour at Flyball Competitions, demonstrations or other AFA accredited activities should any dog incidents or member disciplinary matters arise. NOTE – reports on any incident may be made available to you upon request in the event that the AFA decides there is a need to investigate the reported behaviour.

We will take all reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

We will never collect sensitive information (such as medical information) about you without your explicit consent.


Our policy is to not publish the names of AFA members involved in MEMBER disciplinary proceedings, either on our website or in printed material during the investigation but we do Minute and record the discipline process and the resultant outcome. The Committee may make a decision to publish the outcome of any discipline investigation, including the name of the member, if it sees this as necessary.

We will record relevant details of any dog incidents involving aggressive or suspected aggressive behavior and will investigate reported incidents and take appropriate action in line with our Aggressive Dog Policy. Such action may include publishing the CRN and Name of any dog placed on suspension following investigation.


If you so request, we will not publish photos of you and your dog on our website.  Photos which you do agree to inclusion on the website become the property of the Australian Flyball Association.

If you so request, we will not email you about Flyball.


We will not disclose any personal information about you to external organisations other than your club or team, or as required by law.

If you have any questions/comments about privacy, you should call or email your state representative.



Dog Behaviour Policy: (Policy on trial and then adopted at 2008 AGM)

This policy details the process for reporting and dealing with dog behaviour including crossing, interference, distraction, suspected aggression and dog aggression.  Incidents of dog aggression are distinct from Member misconduct incidents, which are dealt with under Clause 14 of the Constitution.

This policy recognises the AFA’s duty of care to all Members and their dogs.  Members should note that it is their responsibility to ensure that their dogs are under control at all times and are adequately trained in correct behaviours necessary for flyball racing.

Crossing:

Crossing is when a dog crosses the centreline but does not interfere with the other team in any way.  The Judge will stop the race, the race will be awarded to the team which did not cross and a Yellow Card will be issued for the first offence, a Red Card for the second offence and a Black card (and exclusion from the competition) for the third offence.  The Incident report form will cite ‘crossing’ as the type of incident.  The Judge will have the discretion of a warning (in the back of the ring only) for the first offence.

 

Interference:

Interference is when a dog from one team interferes so that the dog in the other team is not able to finish its race.  The Judge will stop the race and the race will be awarded to the team which did not interfere. 

Crossing the centreline is not necessarily interference.  A dog chasing its own ball is not necessarily interference.  A dog entering the racing area of the other team will be called as interference if for any reason the dog on the other team is unable to finish its run due to the actions of the dog crossing the centreline.

Interference will involve the issue of a Yellow Card for the first offence, a Red card for the second offence at the same event and a Black card (and exclusion from the Competition) for the third offence. The Incident report form will cite ‘Interference’ as the type of incident.

Distraction:

Team members shall not distract the opposing team by bouncing balls, using a flyball box at the end of the run, or by any other means nor by throwing any object for 8their dogs (i.e. balls, toys, Frisbees, dummies, gloves or treats).

Team members are required to pick up loose balls.


The first offence of any of these infractions shall receive a warning.  A second offence or any offence thereafter will result in the loss of the heat.

Aggression:


Dog aggression is any behaviour meant to intimidate or harm a person or another animal.

If a dog shows aggression towards another dog , animal, handler, official or Judge at any time during a AFA Competition or Demonstration, either in the ring or within 500 metres of the ring, an AFA Accredited Judge or the AFA Representative may excuse the dog from the Event. If the incident occurred in the Ring and was observed by the Judge a Black signal card will be displayed.

The involved official (i.e. the Judge or the AFA Representative has the sole right to determine the degree of aggression and whether or not a dog should be excused. Any action to excuse a dog for aggression must be reported to the AFA by the involved official within 48 hours. Dogs excused for aggression may not compete in any further AFA sanctioned activities until the AFA Committee investigates the incident and informs the Member of the results of that investigation.


Aggressive behaviour may vary in severity. As a guide the following behaviours are potential demonstrations of aggression:

  • Dog lunging, snapping or nipping at another dog or person with intent
  • Dog engaging in heavy growling and/ or intimidating another dog by eyeballing with intent
  • Dog chasing and frightening another dog with intent
  • Dog chasing and biting another dog or person with or without a resultant sign of injury;
  • Dog attacking another dog or person.
The words “With Intent” are designed to signify that the Judge or Official must be of the opinion that the dog is showing behaviour that is designed to intimidate or actually harm another animal or person.

Any immediate appeal against the decision of a Judge at a Competition must be submitted before the start of the next heat. After that time appeals can only be lodged with the AFA by written submission. Appeals against decisions of the AFA Representative can only be in writing to the AFA.

Upon receipt of an aggressive dog incident report the AFA Committee will appoint a Sub-Committee of 3 to investigate the incident. The Sub-Committee will:

  • comprise those members of the AFA Committee best qualified to assess dog aggression.
  • take into account all available evidence including the involved official’s report and any Witness Declarations, and will invite the Member or handler to make a Declaration.
  • take into account the length of time the dog has been competing in Flyball and any prior Incident Reports involving the dog.

Within 21 days of its establishment the Sub-Committee will report its findings and any recommended action to the AFA Committee. Recommended actions can include:

  1. Placing the dog on warning (i.e. indicating that any further incidents involving the dog may result in a period of suspension and the requirement for retraining);
  2. Suspending the dog with a requirement for retraining. Suspension periods may vary from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 12 months. During the suspension period the Member should obtain independent advice about the behaviour retraining necessary to overcome the behaviour problem;
  3. Permanent exclusion of the dog from any sanctioned AFA activity.

Upon receipt of the Sub-Committee’s report the AFA Committee will at its next meeting make a determination and subsequently notify the Member.

(The Protocol (process) for dealing with Dog Incident Reports can be found on the AFA Web site under the heading Member Information- General.)

The Member may lodge an appeal within 14 days of the date of service of the AFA Committee’s decision. Any appeal should focus on new evidence or facts not taken into account by the AFA.  Appeals will be considered by the AFA Committee at its next scheduled meeting and the Member will be notified of the outcome within 7 days of that meeting.

(The Protocol (process) for dealing with Appeals can be found on the AFA Web under the heading Member Information - General.)

Note:

At any time, the Supervisory Judge may report to the AFA Committee any dog whose behaviour results in regular carding reports which may be evidence of the need for retraining. The AFA Committee will deal with any such report in the same way as an aggressive dog investigation i.e. a Sub-Committee will be formed to investigate and report.

Process for applying for re-instatement of suspended dogs.

At the end of any suspension period the Member may apply to the AFA Committee for reinstatement by showing evidence that the dog has undergone satisfactory retraining.. Applications for reinstatement must include copies of the weekly re-training log (see Forms C-14 Weekly Training Log).  The weekly retraining log will be signed by the Club Co-ordinator or Manager and will show:

  • The amount of time dedicated to re-training
  • The specific behaviours identified and addressed
  • The behavioural achievements
  • The names, qualifications and experience of those assisting with re-training
  • The names of witnesses to the retraining

Applications for reinstatement must also include:

  • A statement from the Club Co-ordinator or Manager detailing the assessed outcomes of the retraining program and providing an opinion about whether the dog is suitable for reinstatement; and
  • Witness Declarations from people who have witnessed the retraining activity.


Members are urged to seek the best quality retraining advice they can.


The AFA Committee will consider any reinstatement application received at its next scheduled Meeting and will determine the extent to which the submission indicates successful retraining. The AFA Committee will, where satisfied with the retraining, so notify the Member and lift the suspension from the date of notification.


If the AFA Committee is not fully satisfied it may require an independent assessment of the dog’s suitability for reinstatement. The AFA Committee will then appoint a suitably experienced panel of 3 AFA Members who do not belong to the offending dog’s Club. The Member will be consulted about a suitable time and venue for the assessment.

Extended Suspension 

If the AFA Committee is not satisfied that the retraining has produced the required behavioural change in the dog it may extend the suspension period by a maximum of a further 6 months, during which time the dog must undergo retraining by a practitioner with qualifications in animal behaviour.

Second Offences

Any dog found guilty of a second aggression incident will be automatically suspended for a minimum of 6 months during which time during which time the dog must undergo retraining by a practitioner with qualifications in animal behaviour.

 


Training Day Policy: (Policy on trial & then adopted at 2008 AGM)

The Australian Flyball Association (AFA) needs a Training Day Policy so that we can promote the sport of Flyball by giving handlers and dogs a taste of Flyball in a controlled environment and ensure that AFA rules, policies and guidelines can be applied consistently across Australia at “AFA Sanctioned Training Days”.

Sanctioned Training Days Aims & Objectives:

As well as promoting Flyball, Training Days play an important role in giving dogs new to Flyball an opportunity to try Flyball training before they join a Flyball club and the AFA.

Sign Up Process

Honorary AFA members wishing to participate in an “AFA Sanctioned Training Day”  will be required to read this policy and sign an AFA honorary membership form stating that they;

  • Have read the policy,
  • Will abide by this policy,
  • Will take instruction and directions from AFA organising members & AFA officials,
  • Will up-hold the objectives, rules and policies of the AFA and affiliated Clubs, to promote the sport of Flyball, its training and exhibiting of dogs, in a positive, informative, safe and entertaining manner.

 

Insurance:

The AFA member/s organising and attending the Training Day must submit an email or correspondence to the AFA Secretary, stating the date, times, format and location of the Training Day with enough time for the AFA to approve & notify the organiser of the sanctioning before the Training Day takes place.  AFA sanctioning of a training day allows for honorary members to train dogs in Flyball techniques under the direction of an AFA member who is a Flyball instructor.  A copy of the details of the Training Day should be forwarded to the Webmaster for inclusion on the AFA calendar on the web.  Only AFA members and honorary AFA members are covered by AFA insurance.  Only AFA members can be organising person/s and Flyball trainers on the day.

Unsanctioned training days are not covered by this policy document or AFA Insurance.  The AFA advises organisers of unsanctioned training days to arrange an appropriate level of insurance coverage.

Format:

The format of the AFA Sanctioned Training Day shall be to minimise the chance of any aggressive gesture or incident.  Format details or training techniques are to be submitted to the AFA with the request for sanctioning if available as this may assist the AFA with the sanctioning process.

Training Day Policy Statement:

  • Honorary members can train their dog at AFA Sanctioned Training Days.
  • Honorary members do not get issued with an AFA CRN (Competition Racing Number).
  • Dogs without an AFA CRN will not race against individuals or as a team.
  • Honorary members must be attached to their dogs on lead when not training under the close supervision of a Flyball instructor.
  • No Handlers are to run over jumps or walk backwards over Flyball jumps or hurdles.
  • Handlers are responsible for ensuring that their dog does not approach any other dog without permission.
  • Organisers should reinforce the need to maintain a safe distance between dogs on or off lead.
  • Training days must have a head instructor who understands how to minimise aggression.
  • The training ground needs to be secure so that dogs can not escape from the training ground into dangerous environments.
  • AFA Officials include the organiser/s, AFA committee members and AFA Judges can stop a handler or dog from taking any further part in the training day.
  • Aggression or unacceptable behaviour at training days should not be tolerated.
  • A dog or handler should be asked to leave politely after an aggressive incident or if it likely that further participation may cause aggression.
  • Above all a friendly common sense approach should be taken towards all incidents at training days.
  • Officials, handlers and dogs need to maintain standards that leave the public with glowing views of Flyball and promote Flyball in the community.
  • Participants shall at all times be courteous and friendly.  At no time should they show displeasure with a dog, exhibitor, trainee, AFA official, sponsor, host or spectator, in or out of the training area.
  • Demonstration rules & policies will apply for dogs with valid CRNs that choose to demonstrate racing at sanctioned training days.

 

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