INTRODUCTION World wide during the past years dog sledding sports has gone through enormous developments. Due to competitive achievements which had to be performed by the dogs themselves have placed them in the forefront and the goals of the sport had to be re-defined. At the same time the focus of animal protection groups have shifted towards the well being of the sled dogs themselves. This also applies significantly on the animals that are used for both sports and entertainment. The basic principal of the Animal Welfare Protocol is to present a minimum standard for the interaction with sled dogs during events. Besides this it has to be a reference for mushers and a guideline for the presentation of dog sledding sports to the public and to all other interested parties. As with any protocol the need to improve always exists and therefore needs continuous adjustments and additions. Therefore the mentioned points below and if necessary can be discussed and improved. Please let us have your inputs. 1.    IN GENERAL a. Authority The responsibility for the animal welfare affairs on the event-grounds is in the hands of the Animal Welfare Officer and the Veterinarian of the event organizing association. During the actual event the AWO and the veterinarian are present on the event-grounds. The AWO and the veterinarian are to be treated respectfully and should get everybody’s kind cooperation. The directions given by the AWO or the veterinarian are to be complied with immediately. The AWO and the veterinarian should have consensus of opinion that there has been an offence taken place or an offence is in process. b. Availability at Events During the time of the actual events the AWO and veterinarian are present. If the event is not actually taking place the AWO and veterinarian are on stand-by and should be available on call. In case of absence during the race the AWO should provide a substitute AWO on time. c.    Education of the AWO Education to be provided to the AWO, taking into account all factors that are important to the animal welfare during dog sledding sports. Besides this, event- and research protocols will be provided. The training of the AWO will contain First Aid for Animals. The AWO should be familiar with dog sledding sports and the training and keeping of sled dogs. Use of the Animal Welfare Regulations by affiliated clubs and associations The use of our Animal Welfare Regulations will be mandatory for all affiliated clubs and associations. The use of this Welfare regulations protocol by other federations or bodies will be allowed with written approval by the Board and under the strict condition that these federations or bodies commit themselves to observe and apply these regulations in full. 2.    REGULATIONS ON THE EVENT GROUNDS a.  Identification The participants to the race will place a recognizable sign showing their start number behind the windscreen of their car or the windows of their mobile homes and on the trailers on the stake-out. b.  Medication                        i.   In case of dogs using (by means of oral, intravenous or dermatological) medication which is only obtainable through prescription, and which dogs are on the event grounds the mushers has to inform the AWO and veterinarian before the start of a event. If not complied to this will be regarded to as a minor offence.                      ii.   If dogs that use medication as mentioned under (i) take part in a event without the musher informing the AWO or veterinarian it will be regarded to as a major offence.                     iii.   Both AWO and veterinarian have the authority to advice the Race Marshal to exclude dogs on medication as mentioned under (i) from participation in the event. In case of chronic illnesses (e.g. hypothyroid (a thyroid gland that works to slow) the veterinarian will decide if this rule is applicable. The veterinarian has to hand over his motivated decision to the Race Marshall.                     iv.   If necessary doping samples will be taken as mentioned in the race-regulations. Exclusions: Food additives, like vitamins and minerals, Canikur, gelatine, Canosan (this list is an example and does not have any jurisdiction) that are bought as such and not as medication, are not included in the intent of section 2. c.  Disease                        i.   Animals that show unmistakable symptoms of an infectious disease (e.g. coughing, diarrhoea) are not allowed on the event grounds or stake-out area.                      ii.   If disease should occur on the event grounds, the veterinarian should be informed right away. The directions of the veterinarian or the AWO have to be followed instantly. Violations of this rule will be regarded as minor or major offences, depending on the seriousness of the disease.                     iii.   If an animal that has been excluded from taking part in the race is used anyhow, this will be regarded as a major offence, leading to the disqualification of the team.                     iv.   Because of the risk it brings with it, all animals on the event grounds should be vaccinated properly. Bringing a not properly vaccinated dog to the race-grounds is a major offence, which leads immediately to the disqualification of the musher. The musher and his dogs also have to leave the event grounds as soon as possible. Important note: This rule also applies to the not competing dogs of the musher. 3.    Environmental conditions and temperatures during events a.  Dryland events The AWO and the veterinarian will measure the temperature in the shade, using a workable and accurate thermometer, on every race-day at 7.00 a.m. This measuring will take place on the event trail. If at any time a day the temperature is raising the AWO and veterinarian are allowed to re-measure the temperature and re-evaluate the conditions.  When temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius the AWO and veterinarian will inform the Race Marshall and together they will decide the following alternatives:                     i.  If the outside temperature lies between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius and no increase is to be expected, without moist or high humidity or sweltering conditions and the veterinarian will be available during the race, the race can continue. Whenever necessary the AWO and veterinarian can advice the Race Marshal to shorten the distance of the event.                    ii.  If the outside temperature lies between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius and if the trail is mostly shady (minimum 80% woods) the race can take place over a distance of 4 kilometres without time registration.                   iii.  If the outside temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius no dogs may be harnessed to a scooter, bike or a cart. Walking the dogs permitted but the musher will have to carry water on himself to provide water to his dog when needed.                  iv.  If, for any reason, it is thought necessary the race Marshall has the authority to shorten the length of the trail. If temperatures lie above 10 degrees Celsius the musher have to be informed by the Race Marshall or AWO about the actual weather conditions because there are many variations in dogs in the tolerance for higher temperatures. 5.    Course of the race a.    Start The dogs have to be harnessed and led to the start in a good, easy and responsible way. It is not allowed to put unnecessary stress on the dogs before starting. Doing so will be regarded as a moderate offence.  b.    During the race If dogs are put under too heavy pressure during racing (f.ex. verbally, through sounds like f.ex. bells or metal rings, or even physical means (beating)) will be considered a very serious offence. This will lead to immediately disqualification of the musher for that race. It is possible that additive measures are undertaken by SAFDSS, these measures should be discussed during a general assembly.  c.    Finish If, when approaching and/or passing the finish line, it appears that one or more dogs have been overburdened (overheated, overtired) and in case the musher is clearly to be blamed for this, it will be considered a very serious offence. If it does not appear to be the fault of the musher then the AWS and veterinarian will discuss the problem and the cause of it with the musher. Should it be that the problem of overburdening repeats itself on a regular base with the same musher the conclusion has to be drawn that the musher in default in judging and correcting his team in time. This will be regarded a moderate offence.   Dogs at the stake-out Ground rules: The dogs have to be kept at the stake-out without endangering any person or other dogs. From the participants will be expected that they are familiar with the basics of raising and handling dogs and have insight in the structure of a dog pack. Crude corrections on the stake-out are not allowed. (physical and/or verbal violence). Considering the weight of the offence against these ground rules, the AWS and veterinarian have to report/remark it. The consideration of the degree of the offence or occurrence lies in the authority of the AWO and the veterinarian who are appointed for supervising the race. Civil Law (liability for bites and injury) applies irrespective of this protocol. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS a.    Stake-out material       Stake-out The material has to be constructed in a way that prevents injury to the dogs. In chains the links have to be too small for the dog’s toes to get stuck in them. With steel cable the cover should be undamaged. Each dog’s individual chain has to be connected to the central chain with a swivel on both the chain-side and the dog side to prevent strangulation and shortening of the individual chain. The distance between the individual chains should be 1,2 meters. The length of the line has to be long enough to allow the dog to stand and lie down relaxed, but maximal 50 cm. The musketons and all other connections have to be in a technically perfect condition to guarantee the safety of the dogs. The distance between each individual animal has to be of the length that allows each animal to lie down without being reached by others. Contact with the animal next to it should be made possible without the risk of entanglement or fighting. The prevention of this must have priority. Attachment to vehicles. This should not present a problem if the following directions are being followed: Danger of injury from or under the vehicle has to be prevented. Contact with greases, fuels or anti-freeze has to be avoided. Considering the technical requirement of the chains the same rules apply as for placing the dogs at a stake-out line. As pointed out above; with attachment to vehicles the dogs have to be able to lie down in a relaxed way.        b.     Boxes Any team that has been warned by the Animal Welfare controller for his boxes, should be disqualified before the start of the Championships if he did not change or improve the travelling conditions of his dogs the following year. Each individual dog needs a surface that allows lying down, lying on its side, turning around and standing up. Maximum of 2 dogs in a box. The Board recomends that if in a car there are more than one dog, then dog boxes must have their own lockable door (e.g. backdoor of car is not sufficient). The minimum surface is: For 1 dog: length = length of the dogs trunk cm x 1,2, width = length of the dogs trunk in cm x 0,6, height = height of the top of the scapula of the dog in cm x 1,0. For 2 dogs: 1,2 x length of the dogs trunk, 0,9 x length of the trunk and 1 x shoulder height of the biggest dog in cm. But the musher has to check the national law, because the FISTC cannot be hold responsible for not complying with the national law.  The boxes should provide shelter against all weather conditions (rain, cold, sun and wind) and constructed in a way that prevents excessive moisture building on the inside. The temperature in the boxes should be at all times below 25 ºC.  In case of boxes made in campers or caravans, the boxes should be enough separated from the living spaces, that this can be assured. The boxes should not have sharp edges or screws on which the dogs could injure themselves. The ventilation of the boxes has to be constructed in a way that prevents excessive building of heat and draught (especially when driving).  When the boxes are also used during driving, the surface should be antiskid. If the boxes are located in a trailer behind the car, penetration of exhaust gasses into the boxes has to be prevented. Not complying with these regulations will be, depending on the seriousness of the violation, regarded as minor to major offence.        c.  Attitude towards dogs at the stake-out The dogs are put at the stake-out for feeding, watering, grooming and preparation before and the follow-up care after the race. It has to be prevented that the dogs are kept at the stake-out without supervision on hear/sight distance, otherwise the dogs should be kept in the boxes. If the dogs are kept on the stake-out for too long the AWO and veterinarian will contact the race-marshal, who must take further actions. Leaving the stake-out while the dogs are still kept on their lines without providing substitute supervision is prohibited and will be regarded as a minor to major offence, depending on the situation and duration. d.     Hygiene Independent of what kind of stake-out construction has been chosen the most important rule is a perfect hygiene. Secretion has to be removed immediately. Boxes, straw and surfaces should be kept clean at all times. Not keeping the boxes clean is considered a major offence, not keeping the steak-out clean is a minor to major offence, depending on the situation. Dogs that have been soiled with secretion or urine have to be cleaned immediately. OFFENCES For the items mentioned under “technical requirements” a. b. c. and d. the following complies: in case of minor offences a suitable solution will be discussed by the AWO, veterinarian and the musher and a time span for correcting the offence will be set. All other minor offences will be discussed with the musher and will be laid down in the Animal Welfare Report. All minor offences are reported to the race Marshall/referee.  If a musher commits 3 or more minor offences, the race Marshall/ referee can decide to disqualify the musher on these grounds Moderate offences will be put to the attention of the Race Marshall/referee. The Race Marshall/referee is obliged to discuss the offence with the AWO and veterinarian with the musher in question on the day the offence has passed. If the facts can not be altered or the person in question is not willing to cooperate the Race Marshall is mandatory to give immediate notice to the person in question of removal from the racing grounds. Also the committing of 2 or more moderate offences can lead to disqualification. In case of offences with boxes, chains, or any other material or technical matter the person in question will be given a warning and together with the Race Marshall and the AWO/veterinarian a time span will be set in which the problem has to be solved. In case of major offences against the Animal Welfare Protocol or the effective animal protection rules, exclusion of the musher will follow immediately and the Board will be informed. The board will rule according to the relevant sanction regulations (SAFDSS regulations). ANIMAL WELFARE PROTOCOL This protocol will be provided to all members clubs, which have the obligation to send it to all their mushers. Of each race an Animal Welfare Report will be made by the AWS and the veterinarian. These reports will be given for inspection to SAFDSS Board.