Policies of the Kingdom Houndmistress/master,
The Canine College,
And Regulations for Hound Conduct
Passed at Curia, January 9 AS 39 (2005)
The Kingdom Houndmistress/master
Definition of Office and Administrative Responsibilities
The Kingdom Houndmistress/master is a kingdom-level deputy of the Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences, and holds office according to the Society’s Governing Documents, the Laws & Policies of Aethelmearc, and the policies of the KMoAS.
The Kingdom Houndmistress/master is responsible for and supervises all canine-related activities in the Kingdom of Æthelmearc. Some examples of canine activities include, but are not limited to coursing, earthwork, tracking and carting. New types of canine activity can be done on an experimental basis with permission from the Kingdom Houndsmistress/master.
The Kingdom Houndmistress/master shall report to the Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences according to KMoAS policies, and shall keep event reports on record for the term of his or her office.
Event reports shall include the following information: Name, place, and date of event; name (SCA and modern) of officer reporting, name(s) (Society and modern) of any Regional Hound Masters or other Canine Officers participating, number of canines and owner/handlers participating, and any accidents/injuries that may have occurred. Event reports must be filed with the KMoAS and the Kingdom Houndmistress/master within 30 days of the event.
Waivers shall be collected for each canine-related event. A canine activity waiver must be signed by all participants in canine-related activities.
Specific Duties of the Kingdom Houndmistress/master
Above all, to promote the various canine activities for the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, and to provide, oversee, and enforce safety guidelines for such activities.
To provide education to the populace at large in all aspects of the art of canine activities, and to encourage members of the canine arts community to provide education through classes, activities, and A&S competition.
To appoint, warrant, and oversee the training of all canine officers, and to ensure their proper conduct according to the Society’s Governing Documents, the Laws & Policies of Æthelmearc, the policies of the KMoAS, and the policies of the Kingdom Houndmistress/master.
Regional Houndmistresses/masters
There shall be a Regional Houndmistress/master for each region of Aethelmearc. Regional Hound Mistresses/Masters are appointed and warranted by the Kingdom Houndmistress/master and hold office according to the Society’s Governing Documents, the Laws & Policies of Aethelmearc, the policies of the KMoAS, and the policies of the Kingdom Houndmistress/master.
Individuals must already be trained in various canine activities before they can be warranted as a new Regional Houndmistress/master. Those individuals who are currently warranted as Regional Houndmistresses/masters as of the date of the publication of this document, will be trained in additional canine activities. Additional training will be overseen by the Kingdom Houndmistress/master and is at her/his discretion.
Each Regional Houndmistress/master is responsible for and supervises all canine-related activities in her/his region.
All Hound Mistresses/Masters must ensure that the health, well-being, and safety of all participants in any canine-related event are their first priority at all times.
Each Regional Houndmistress/master shall report to the Kingdom Houndmistress/master quarterly and following each event in her/his region according to the policies of the Kingdom Houndmistress/master.
Each new Houndmistress/Master will prove that they are proficient in canine first aid. This will be done at the Kingdom Houndmistress/Master’s discretion, and in the form of a written test. Licensed Veterinary Technicians (in states which require licensing) may apply for a test waiver.
Once officially appointed and warranted, Regional Hound Mistresses/Masters may train other canine officers (such as Luremasters, Quarrymasters and Houndsmistress/masters at Large) at their discretion. Group Houndsmistress/masters can be created at the request of the groups Seneschal.
All Luremasters, Quarrymasters, Local and at Large Houndmistress/masters shall report quarterly to their Regional Houndsmistress/master.
Canine College
The Dean of the Canine College is appointed by the Kingdom Houndmistress/master once every two (2) years, and shall consist of someone who is knowledgeable in the canine arts. Perspective Deans shall apply once the position is made available.
The Canine College is a tract of 4 or more canine related classes at an already established schola, Æcademy or teaching event.
At least one session of the Canine College shall be held per year, if possible.
The Canine College shall strive to provide a broad array of classes on various canine activities and arts pertaining to canine activities (such as hunting, tools or clothing used, etc.)
Regulations for Hound Conduct
Any owner or handler entering a hound in a coursing event does so at his or her own risk and agrees to assume responsibility for any damage to facilities caused by his hound(s) or injuries caused by his hounds(s) to any other hound or person. Any owner or handler also realizes that accidents do happen from time to time in canine activities, and assumes responsibility and will not hold any part of the SCA Inc. liable for injury to his own hound(s) as well.
Each owner or handler must complete a canine activity waiver, listing each hound participating.
Any individual who has not attained the age of majority in his or her state and the state in which the event is held shall present a copy of the SCA minor waiver, completed by his or her parent or guardian, and a lure coursing waiver, completed by his parent or guardian, to the acting Lure Master before he or she will be allowed to participate in coursing events. At no time may a minor course a hound unless (a) his or her parent or guardian is present and watching the minor, (s) the parent/guardian has spoken with the acting Lure Master to understand the hazards and risks involved in this activity, and (3) the parent/guardian has signed the lure coursing waiver on behalf of the participating minor.
Owners and handlers shall behave in a courteous and chivalrous manner and with due consideration for others at all times.
The use of live lures in a canine activity is EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN and is not in keeping with Society intentions, no matter how authentic.
Handlers are responsible for keeping their hounds under control at all times. Loose hounds constitute a danger and distraction, and are grounds for the handler and his or her hound(s) being barred from participation in the coursing for the rest of the event.
Handlers shall be responsible for collecting their hounds at the end of each activity. All hounds must be retrieved and under control before any further canine activity will commence.
The Houndmistress/master in charge is the primary officer responsible for the safety and well-being of the hounds and participants in any canine-related event. Failing to heed the instructions of the Houndmistress/master is grounds for being barred from participation in the coursing for the rest of the event.
If a Houndmistress/master is not present, then the Luremaster or Quarrymaster present is responsible for safety and waivers.
It is recommended that a first aid kit will be made available at each canine activity.
The Houndmistress/master or officer in charge is responsible for finding a Veterinarian that holds hours at the time of the activity no further than 30 minutes away from the activity site in case of emergency.
Each canine participating in an event MUST show proof of current rabies vaccine in the form of a rabies certificate in order to participate. Rabies tags are not an acceptable form of proof.
Hound owners and handlers are expected to follow local state, county, and city laws regarding their hound(s). All hounds will be properly cleaned up after and the waste properly disposed of. Anyone found not complying with local state, county, and city laws will be barred from the current activity and brought to the attention of the autocrat for further action. It is important to note however, that the SCA is not a mundane law enforcement agency.
Dew claws and stopper pads shall be wrapped with vet wrap prior to activity to ensure safety and prevent injury.
It is highly recommended that owners and handlers fast their hounds for at least 12 hours prior to activities involving exercise, to prevent Gastric Bloat and Torsion. Each owner who does not fast their hound and participates in any exertive activity does so at his or her own risk.
It will be left to the in charge Houndmistress/master’s discretion as to whether or not a hound is safe to participate in canine activities. Safe is defined as physically able to participate as well as the hounds demeanor and attitude toward other hounds and humans.
First Aid Kit Recommendations
It is recommended that a first aid kit be easily accessible in the form of a tackle box or first aid duffle bag.
Each kit should contain, but is not limited to: Gauze squares, “Kling” wrap (gauze wrap) Vet Wrap, bandage scissors, Hydrogen Peroxide, rectal thermometer and sterile lubricant, medical tape, triple antibiotic ointment, eyewash, benadryl tablets, (for hound use only!) peanut butter or honey packets (for heat stroke) feminine pad (for excessive bleeding while traveling to Vet) and q-tips.
A kit should NOT contain: Ibuprofen or Tylenol as these pain relievers will kill an animal. These products should never be used on animals of any kind.
Only a warranted canine officer, or the hounds owner/handler may administer to an injured hound, and only with the owner/handlers consent.
First aid administered by a canine officer at an event should never be considered medical care and the owner is strongly encouraged to have their pet evaluated properly by a trained Veterinarian.
The SCA does not guarantee the availability of First Aid or veterinary care. Each owner/handler has their hound participate at their own risk. It is suggested that each owner/handler bring appropriate First Aid materials for their hound(s).
