[MR] Dogs at events

[Becky McEllistrem]

Asking for a form does not automatically mean that
you've expanded your responsibilities to inspect
everything -cars etc.  It means that you have made a
serious attempt to keep everybody "honest".  Rather
than a form maybe having a simple sign in sheet with
the owner describing their dog would be enough.  That
way if something does happen that owner could be
contacted more quickly.  There are lots of people with
a certain type of dog.  But I've rarely seen two dogs
looking exactly alike at the same event.

And I think asking for a form or a sign in is one more
thing at troll which is frustrating but as the dog
presence grows so do the chances at harm.  If we're
going to increase the variety of activities at events
we also increase the responsibility for those
activities.  I don't think waiting for harm to happen
before doing something is ever wise.  

Also not hearing of harm happening doesn't mean it
hasn't happened yet.  It just means it hasn't been
made public yet.


Rebecca

--- Rachel/Rozsa <qchell at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Also as an autocrat I completely back Gise's
> position on this.  I have autocratted a number of
> events and am currently autocratting War of the
> Wings - it never occurred to me to not allow animals
> on site nor to check for current vaccines, etc.  All
> animals are expected to be on a leash or in a cage
> at all times - and that is for everyone, including
> the animal's, safety.  
> 
> I have never had an issue with any animals brought
> to an event.  My experience is that in general all
> of our pet owners are responsible owners.  They
> watch over their animals very carefully, are extra
> attentive when children or strangers approach and
> are very cautious when their animals are meeting
> other animals.  At this time I don't see where this
> is a problem.  I understand the concern - however,
> until it should become a problem, I think the
> options currently available to an autocrat are more
> than sufficient to deal with anything that may
> occur.  Should an animal attack another animal or
> person, it becomes a real-world legal issue and the
> appropriate real-world authorities will deal with
> the situation. I'm sure at that point the
> Seneschallate will deal with that particular
> owner/animal appropriately with regards to future
> attendance at SCA events. 
> 
> I just see adding proof of vaccines, etc. being a
> burden added onto those working the Gate - who more
> often than not are not going to have the experience
> to determine if the paperwork being submitted is
> actually real anyhow.   So at that point we are back
> to being 'on our honor' - which is where we are
> already.  
> 
> 
> YIS,
> 
> Rozsa
> 
> *************************
> www.warofthewings.com
> www.ebonwoulfe.com
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Scribe0002 at aol.com
> >Sent: Sep 26, 2006 9:40 AM
> >To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> >Subject: Re: [MR] Dogs at events
> >
> > 
> >Good Ysolt opines: "Rabies certificate should be
> required for liability  
> >purposes. If a dog bites someone or another dog,
> proof of rabies vaccine is  
> >required."
> >
> >I have to say that as an autocrat I fall into the
> personal  responsibility 
> >camp with Logan, Kari and Takada here. 
> > 
> >I understand the concern of those who've posted
> about vaccination  
> >requirements. But, as Takada said, if I add check
> rabies papers to my gate  keepers' 
> >check list, I assume all responsibility if one gets
> through with false  or out of 
> >date paperwork or with no paperwork at all. My gals
> sat gate all  evening 
> >Friday and most of Saturday at the last event. They
> checked in about 230  people, 
> >dealt with some short tempers and tight schedules
> and don't need another  
> >thing to do.
> > 
> >And, honestly, if a person is going to be
> irresponsible enough to bring an  
> >unvaccinated or unpleasant animal to an event, who
> says they're going to own up 
> > to actually having it with them at gate? Do my
> people now have to inspect 
> >every  car, truck, trailer and RV that pulls in? Do
> I have to provide tokens for 
> >the  critters to prove they've been checked at
> gate? Do I have to staff an 
> >animal  services person to randomly check each dog,
> goat and ferret through the 
> >course  of the event? 
> > 
> >I'm truly not trying to be snarky here but these
> are the considerations I  
> >have to consider as an event steward. If I check
> rabies vaccinations it is  
> >offerring a false sense of security and an added
> liability that cannot be  
> >properly administrated.
> > 
> >Ysolt further wrote: "It would also be nice to
> grant hosting groups the  
> >authority (if they don't already have it) to ask
> people who bring nuisance  
> >animals to an event to leave with or remove their
> animals."
> > 
> >I already have this authority as the event
> steward/autocrat. I outrank  
> >everyone on site. Everyone. If someone causes
> trouble, creates a danger of any  
> >sort and will not cooperate, I ~will~ have them
> removed from site and, depending  
> >upon the nature of the offense, they will not be
> welcomed back to future  
> >events.
> > 
> >My event announcements include the fact that
> controlled animals are  welcome. 
> >This puts everyone on notice that animals will be
> present. The  expectation 
> >is that each animal owner will be responsible to
> take care of their  animal, 
> >guard the animal's safety and the safety of other
> animals and all  people. I've 
> >never had an issue that would lead me to expect
> otherwise in the  SCA. Not in 
> >Atlantia nor in the East.
> > 
> >~gise
> > 
> >
> >
> > 
>
>========================================================================
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> Cheapside
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