1. Definition: a. The use of substances that possibly could have an artificial effect on the dog’s physical or mental conditions and so may influence the dog’s performance is considered doping. Doping is a threat to the animal’s health and therefore absolutely forbidden. b. Also the use of similar substances by the musher is considered doping and is dealt with in the same way.  2. List of substances considered to be doping: The list mentioned underneath is as complete as possible, but as new drugs are invented every day it is never possible to give a complete list. a. The general rule is that no drug (oral, topical or injectable) which may suppress the signs of illness or injury may be administrated to a dog that runs in a race. b. No drug or artificial means (e.g. blood) may be used to improve a dog’s performance beyond its natural ability. c. The period in which this rule is valid starts 3 days before the start of the time-trail event and ends after the team has finished and is cleared by the Event Veterinarian. d. Before the start of the event all mushers should provide the Event Giving Organization a written declaration and a list of their dogs and their medication as from three days before the event. e. Forbidden substances are: i. Anti-inflammatory drugs including but not limited to Steroids (e.g. cortisone and all it’s derivates), Non- steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. rimadyl, zubrin, metacam, and so on) and Anti-prostaglandins ii. Analgesics (prescriptive {e.g. buprenorfine, morphine and other morfine derivates} and non-prescriptive) iii. Cough suppressants iv. Anabolic steroids (endogene {e.g. testosterone}and exogene androgene anabolica, other anabolica {clenbuterol,zeranol}) v. Muscle relaxants vi. Anti-histamines vii. Beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol, bunolol, carvedilol,sotalol,timolol) viii. Diuretics ix. Stimulants (amphetamine and al derivates, ephedrine and all his derivates,selegiline) x. Sedatives/ (local) anesthetics xi. Injectable anti-cholinergic. xii. Injectable nutrient shots (unless administered by the official race-vet) xiii. Hormonal substances (e.g.erythropoetine {EPO}, Growth-hormon, Gonotrophines) xiv. Blood (the dogs own blood or donor blood)    b. Exceptions: i. The use of topical corticosteroids or DMSO are limited to the use on feet only, in foot ointments, provided by a registered Veterinarian and approved by the Event Veterinarian. ii. The use of local anesthetics is not forbidden if it is applied by the official Event Veterinarian without potential risk to the dog. 3.  Doping control: a. Doping control can be conducted at every SADFSS Event and may be conducted at every SADFSS Regional and National Championship events. b. The doping control team on the championships consists at least of the head veterinarian, a veterinary helper/nurse, a member of the SADFSS Board and a representative of the Event Giving Organisation. c. The selection of the teams to be controlled will be at random selection. Before the start of the event the rankings and categories (e.g. O: 1st position, A: 3rd position and so on), are written down and put in an envelope, not to be opened until after completion of the event. After the finish of the final class the dogs to be tested are chosen at random by drawing from the envelopes. Their chip number is noted and a form with name and chip numbers is given to the musher (or handler). This musher shall submit to the doping control of the dog(s) noted on the form (see doping procedures). d. In case of clear suspicion the doping control team could ask for additional tests on other teams, but only if the Event Marshal agrees that the arguments are justifiable. e. When a musher does not attend the doping test, this will be considered like a positive result and will be treated as such (see consequences). 4.  Doping station: a. The doping station should be clearly marked and signposted from the start/finish area. b. It should be possible to lock it so that nobody can enter except the doping test team. c. The equipment should be sufficient to correctly conduct the sample taking and processing (see doping procedures). d. All officials concerned with the doping control should be familiar with the procedures, which should be on paper for them. 5.  Doping Control Procedure: a.  Collection and handling of the samples: i. The participant must report to the control station at the time mentioned on his doping control form. ii. There he/she can choose 2 clean numbered bottles to collect the urine and if necessary 2 numbered tubes to collect blood samples. iii. The names of the mushers and chip-numbers of the dogs and the numbers of the bottles and tubes are noted on the doping control list. iv. Under control of a member of the doping control team the samples are taken. (if an urine sample cannot be obtained, mostly it is sufficient to put the dog in his box for 1 hour and try again, male dogs can also be catheterized. v. After collection of the samples the bottles and tubes are sealed in the presence of the participant. vi. The participant has to sign a consent form, confirming that all the above mentioned procedures are executed properly in the presence of the participant. vii. The first samples of each dog will go with the Event Veterinarian who takes them to a laboratory of his choice. viii. The second sealed samples and the code list (which number belongs to which dog) go with the SAFDSS Board member, who keeps them in the freezer in case a second opinion is needed/wanted. ix. The laboratory samples and reserve samples are placed in seperate cooled containers, suitable for transportation. x. The samples for analysis should be send to the laboratory as soon as possible, and the laboratory should be asked to confirm that the samples where still sealed when they arrived for testing (and put this on the result list!!). xi. The reserve samples can be destroyed when the first analysis was negative or when the first test was positive and after the second test has been performed on request of the musher. b.  Analysis of the samples: i. The first samples controlled by Event Veterinarian will be send to a approved and certified laboratory. ii. The second samples controlled by SAFDSS will be send to a SAFDSS approved laboratory, normally to be  ONDERSTAPOORT (Gauteng, South Africa). iii. If a musher wants to conduct a contra-expertise test, the laboratory chosen by the musher must also be approved by SAFDSS. c.  Results: i. The results of the first tests will be sent by the laboratory to the Event Veterinarian. ii.  If there is a positive test, the Event Veterinarian should inform the SAFDSS board and the Club of the participant. The participant is informed by his Club. iii. The participant has 14 days to protest against the result and ask for a contra-expertise test, utilizing the second sample taken at the event, in a SAFDSS approved laboratory. iv. The participant and a neutral observer designated by the SAFDSS board may be present during the re-testing procedure (if the laboratory allows this). v.  The result of the second test should be reported immediately to the SAFDSS Board. d.  Consequences: i.  After a confirmed positive doping test the musher is disqualified from all SAFDSS and affiliate Club events from that moment onwards. ii. The SAFDSS Board has to take a definitive decision and determine the penalty (duration of exclusion from SAFDSS and affiliated Club events). iii. This board decision is final and will not be eligible to be taken to a public court for legal action. iv. The result of the doping tests will be published on the SAFDSS website and in case of a positive test also the decision of the SAFDSS Board.