Is this how AKC promotes the sport of dogs and fosters good sportsmanship? Clover Hedlund should be permanently barred from ALL AKC privliges immediately!
I cannot see why AKC is not suspending this person.. This is happening more and more with dogs being taken at shows. It has got to stop, and taking action against this person, may make another person think twice before doing the same act.
Clover Hedlund should be suspended from AKC privileges. She is a criminal. It suprises me the AKC would condone her behavior and by not taking action against her that is exactly what you have done.
Unfortunately, this happens too often, not just the theft of a valuable show/breeding animal, but AKC's refusal to act according to its own set of rules! Shame on you AKC.
The lack of action by the AKC in this matter is giving a stamp of approval to criminals that stealing valuable dogs because of a personnal grudge won't affect their AKC privileges. This is counter productive to the image that AKC has been trying to put out to the media for the past few years. Had I been in the place of Ms. Alford, I would be working for a lifetime suspension. The mental duress and cost that she must have incurred in this matter is cruelty. Please reconsider your position.
It's bad enough that we have to be aware of everything around us at AKC shows because thieves who steal purses and such attend the shows. However, it's horrifying to know that AKC would allow a KNOWN AND CONVICTED thief to not only attend but participate in the shows. Ms. Hedlund's privileges should be suspended permanently. I fail to understand your allegence to a criminal.
The refusal of AKC to suspend privileges of Ms. Hedlund is totally unbelievable. If her actions don't constitute a threat to the sport and to dogs, I cannot imagine what would. Not just to commit acriminal act to take someone's dog for an extended period of time but to NEUTER that valuable animal? That is pretty abusive to both animal and owner in my estimation. Please reconsider your stance on this matter!!!
I have always been amazed by the concept of a dog registry; AKC, UKC, NGA...so powerful and so intrusive, yet...so impotent.
Forget cuelty... what happened to good sportsmanship and the desire to benefit purebred dogs? Felony theft is OK? Felony theft of an AKC Champion? This just isn't right.
A person can be suspended for dirtying a motel room. (Not that I think this is wrong, it should be done), but a criminal act like this theft and neutering is allowed???? The former looses income for AKC, but our dogs that we've paid to show and enter are at risk and we are not protected??? Shame on AKC for not acting to safeguard or dogs.
Suspending this man should have been an automatic reaction considering his crimes involving registered animals. AKC's bylaws must be amended immediately if they wish to remain a viable and credible organization.
AKC suspensions should not be limited to animal cruelty. The act of animal theft should be justification for serious discipline by the AKC. I would be interested in knowing just what the AKC considers grounds for suspensions. If this is not, then it must be next to impossible to be suspended from the AKC!
AKC MUST take action on this problem. Clover Hedlund deserves suspension for what she has done to a valuable French Bulldog. Please take the time to re-examine your original decision on this problem.
Anyone found guilty of commiting a criminal act in which dogs are involved should be suspended from AKC privileges. It can endanger others and their dogs who participate in the sport if such a criminal is allowed to remain in the Sport of Dogs.
I was amazed to read this letter and realize that AKC does not plan to suspend this individual! Ms. Hedlund certainly exhibited conduct prejudicial to the sport of purebred dogs when she neutered Clipper, much less stole him! As a professional involved in animal care, I have always taken issue with some of AKC's policies (e.g. disregarding certain health issues that really should be explored before a dog is deemed a "champion" of a certain breed), and this decision only proves to reinforce my concern that AKC does not have its priorities in line when making impacting decisions like this. I really have to question the integrity of those in the decision making capacity at AKC. Please take the time to reexamine this issue.
For Hedlund to be found guilty of the theft of a beloved champion dog (from a wonderful and respected breeder/owner of frenchies), and be allowed to continue to freely participate in AKC events is absolutely heinous. It really is contrary to the AKC's mission statement. What message does the AKC's decision regarding Hedlund's guilty actions convey to junior handlers, those new to the sport, as well as the general public, etc? What if it was YOUR dog????
It's time to abolish the AKC - they only interpet their rules and regulations for the best interest of their pocket.. They do not stand behind the rules and regulations that they make everyone else adhere to... just ask me -- I can tell you how I got ripped off by the AKC. this regarding a litter application - I did NOT sign the registration -- someone else did - the AKC said "That's O.K." Yet others are being reprimanded and fined for signing registrations without power of attorney - I didn't give power of attorney to anyone at AKC yet they signed the litter registration without my permission. So you see... they can do anything they want!
what is important to you now, you no longer suspend breeding rights for misbehavior at shows, you just seem to care about your income from litter registrations, this woman has sullied the name of akc breeders, do the right thing, or become just like the ADR, CKC and the other worthless registries with no integrity
I think that it is sad that an exhibitor is able to be convicted of such a crime in a court of law and yet AKC is basically saying that is ok to steal and alter someone elses dog. That won't make me feel very safe at the next show. This women should lose her AKC priviledges!
If this person was found guilty by a court of law, then this should be substantial evidence to suspend AKC privileges. Who wants to see such a person at a dog show for fear of their own dog's safety?
Perhaps the upper echelon of the AKC needs a reminder of why AKC was formed. Lately they are more concerned with big showy buildings, high benefit jobs with a BIG pay checks and Golden Parachutes. This is sad.
I can't believe the AKC has chosen to take NO action against a convicted felon. A felon who altered the life and future lives of show dogs. You need to protect your current and future members.
This is not the first time AKC has done nothing, all too often they stand behind the fact that this is a matter for a court of law, which was done in this case, saying they are only a regristering body, yet when faced with regristration matters they still close their eyes. This does effect their income in a small way for this dog can not sire puppies which would bring them revenue, guess this is not a large enough amount to make a difference to them.They should start taking up for the honest people that keep them in business and suspend the ones that shed a bad light on them by doing such an underhanded thing.
From reading the accompaning petition letter it scares me to think this person could be at a show putting other dogs in danger of the same treatment. If show sites hire Guards to keep out thieves, who but AKC can keep out this person? AKC, please reconsider your decision.
No matter who you are this is WRONG. We are suposed to be responsible people representing the sport. What does this show about the AKC as well as the innocent members to those who don't know. This woman should at a min. be suspended if not her rights taken.
AKC need not and should not "protect" this woman. She is a detriment to the dog fancy and AKC should be ashamed to have her in the midst of people who work hard to be fair, honorable competitors!
As a breeder and exihibitor in the AKC, it amazes me that this person is still allowed to show dogs or have any thing to do with breeding and registering w/AKC. If the courts have found this person guilty, then I feel a suspension of AKC privledges be suspended.
If this person has perpetuated this crime, and the courts of the land have shown that she has been so judged, then that action was maliscious, and certainly unprofessional. AKC membership should reflect a group of people of like mind. This person should be suspended or exorcized because her actions do NOT reflect the professionalism of the group.
This person was convicted of a felony that is directly related to the sport of dogs. She should be prohibited from participating in AKC sanctioned events. If the AKC's current policy does not adequately address this issue, the AKC’s governing body should take immediate steps to update current regulations to resolve this dilemma. That a person could be found guilty in a court of law of dog theft and still be allowed to exhibit at an AKC event is inconceivable.
Legally proven dog theft and the subsequent removal of that dog from the breeding pool..which is what a Dog Registry is all about..should be cause for suspension from AKC.
I am shocked that AKC would not protect people in the sport of dogs, by not addressing this matter. This person's conduct is not in good sportsmanship, and should be strongly discouraged.
The unwanted sexual mutilation of the dog is cruelty to both dog and owner. If this logic escapes you someone should cut your balls off and than query you with regard to your view on cruelty.
Cutting a dogs balls off when it wasn't the desire of the owner or dog is sexual mutilation, that is cruelty to both animal and owner. If in fact you don't consider it as such someone should cut your balls off and than query you as to your opinion with regard to unwanted sexual mutilation.
I feel in my heart that she should got what is coming to her. take someones dog is just like someone taking some bodys child. I think she should not be able to keep her AKC privlages.
