Disciplinary Penalties

08/02/2024

Mrs Teresa Vaughan

12 months suspension from 08/02/2024 + $500 fine, Fine to be paid in full within one calendar month from 08/02/2024.

Regulation 5.6.5 applies - Where a fine payable within a specified period has been imposed on a member by a Disciplinary Hearing and the fine has not been paid within the specified period, the member's membership shall be suspended until such time as the fine is paid

VCA Rule 2.17, VCA Regulations 4.1.3.1.1,  

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.15; 20.1.26.3

Suspended for the duration of 6 months - from 20 June 2024 to 20 December 2024 + $250 fine

Good behaviour for a period of twelve  months commencing 8 July 2024.  The penalty will be discharged after 12 months provided the Respondent continues to be of good behaviour during that period.

In the event that the Respondent breaches this order within 12 months by committing any further contravention(s), the Respondent will be brought back before this same Disciplinary Committee and an appropriate sanction will then be issued for contraventions of the charges.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA Regulation 4.4.4, VCA CoP 20.1.21

VCA CoP 20.1.23.8, VCA CoP 20.1.25, VCA CoP 20.1.25.3

18 months suspension of the respondent’s membership, but the suspension is reduced to 6 months if the respondent pays the complainant $5,000 (a refund of the $3,500 purchase price plus $1,500 in reasonable veterinary costs) within 10 working days starting 10 July 2024 and the respondent proves to both the DV office and the complainant that the respondent has paid this amount to the complainant in full within this timeframe. 
Resulting suspension is 18 months from 9/07/2024.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.1, VCA CoP 20.1.11

Good behaviour for a period of 12 months from 15/07/2024. The period of good behaviour will be discharged after 12 months on the specific condition that:

1. If engaging in breeding a litter within the 12-month period of good behaviour, prior to doing so they must provide a written self-reflection to the DV Compliance Manager.
2. They should seek a supporting letter from the owner of the Sire relating to the mating.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.25.3, VCA CoP 20.1.21

A suspension for the duration of six (6) months and a $500.00 fine.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.4, VCA CoP 20.3.2.1

A suspension for the duration of six (6) months and a $500.00 fine.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.15

$500.00 fine.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.12

$500 Fine.  Fine Paid.

Under regulation 5.6.1.6, suspended for four (4) months from 31/10/2024.
Under regulation 5.6.1.7, must provide a letter of apology to the complainant for the respondent’s actions on the day of the event (15/10/2023).  Letter has been provided.

The single penalty imposed after finding each of the four (4) charges proven is:

5. Under Regulation 5.6.1.5 the Respondent is fined the sum of $500. and is ordered to pay that amount to DV within 3 months from 29 October 2024
6. Under Regulation 5.6.1.6 the membership rights of the member are suspended for a period of six (6) months effective from 29 October 2024. Note: the suspension of membership rights of the Respondent does not apply to any litters which can be proven to be in existence as of 29 October 2024. 

 Appeal Hearing:  9 November 2024 – Appeal dismissed, penalty upheld.

5.6.1.2 - All dogs under this membership who currently meet the requirement of 5.6.1.2 as of 11/11/2024 will not be eligible for transfer to any other owner until proof of desexing has been provided.

5.6.1.6 - This membership is terminated effective 12/11/2024.

5.6.1.7 – Not eligible to apply for a new membership for a period of 10 years from 12/11/2024.

5.6.1.7 - The prefix ALPHAFORCE is not able to be transferred to any other member and should be marked never to be transferred.

5.6.2 and 5.6.4 is also applied.

5.6.1.5 - A fine of $500

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is to undergo the breeder prefix examination within the next three months (from 15/11/24).

5.6.1.6 - If the respondent does not complete a new breeders prefix exam within 3 months, her membership will be disqualified for a period of 6 months (effective from 15/02/2025 to 15/08/2025). Her membership will not be reinstated until she completes a new breeder prefix examination. This will require MC approval for reinstatement.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17, VCA CoP 20.1.15

$500 Fine.  Fine Paid.

5.6.1.6 - 12 months suspension from 26/11/24

5.6.1.5 - $500 fine payable within 1 month from 26/11/24.

5.6.1.7 - If the respondent fails to pay the fine within 1 month, an additional 3 month suspension to the original 12 month suspension (totalling 15 months from 26/11/24) will apply and the membership will be suspended beyond this point, if necessary, until the fine is paid.

5.6.1.5 - $500 payable within 1 month from 29/11/24

5.6.1.6 - suspension of membership for 6mths from 29/11/24

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is ordered to refund the purchase price of $5,000 AUD within three months from 29/11/24 to the complainant.  An additional $3,000 towards health testing and flights and $2,000 towards ongoing medical costs is also ordered to be paid to the complainant within six months from 29/11/24. Failure to complete payment in full within six months of 29/11/24 will result in the respondent’s suspension being extended until such time as the payment is made.

$500 Fine.  Fine Paid.

6 month suspension from 3/02/2025.

5.6.1.6 - The membership is terminated and the member expelled from Dogs Victoria permanently.

5.6.1.7 - The respondent’s wife will also be denied membership for a period of 10 years from 30/01/2025.

12-month Good Behaviour Bond from 3/02/2025

The Committee determined to issue a single penalty having found the Respondent guilty of each of the two breaches.

5. Under Regulation 5.6.1.1 and effective from Thursday 6 February 2025: the Respondent is suspended from taking part in or having any official role with any event or participating in any VCA committee held or conducted under VCA Rules and Regulations, for a period of six months;
6. Under Regulation 5.6.1.7, the Respondent is required to issue (by providing through DV Compliance) a formal written letter of apology for acting in an aggressive, abusive and disrespectful way to the specified DV members;
7. In the event that the Respondent fails or refuses to issue a formal written letter of apology to any of the specified DV members, the Respondent will be further suspended from taking part in or having any official role with any event or participating in any VCA committee held or conducted under VCA Rules and Regulations until the Respondent issues a formal written letter of apology for acting in an aggressive, abusive and disrespectful way to each of the specified DV members.

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is placed on good behaviour for a period of six months from 08/02/2025, at which point if there have been no further breaches, there will be no penalty. If further breaches occur within this period, the respondent will be brought before the same panel for deliberation of penalty.

a. Under Regulation 5.6.1.1 and commencing on 12 February 2025, the Respondent is suspended from judging or taking part in or having any connection with any exhibition of dogs held under VCA Rules and Regulations for a period of six months.

b. Under Regulation 5.6.1.7, the Respondent is required to issue (by providing through DV Compliance) formal written letters of apology to named DV members for yelling in a disrespectful way and hindering a VCA Rep from carrying out their role.

c. In the event that the Respondent fails or refuses to issue a formal written letter of apology to either of the DV members named, the Respondent will be further suspended from judging or taking part in or having any connection with any exhibition of dogs held under VCA Rules and Regulations until the Respondent issues a formal written letter of apology to each DV member.

5.6.1.4 - All dogs currently registered to the respondent shall be marked not for breeding and no litter shall be accepted for registration effective from 17/02/2025. This includes any litter that has already been disposed of or currently available for sale.

5.6.1.6 - The membership of the respondent is disqualified for life effective 17/02/2025.

5.6.1.7 - No dog registered to the respondent will be transferred out of the respondent’s name unless evidence of desexing is provided.

Fine of $500 and suspension of membership for 3 months from 2 April 2025.

5.6.1.7 - 6 (six) months good behaviour, if no further incident occurs from 16/04/2025 for six months, no penalty will apply. If a further incident occurs, the panel will review.