Disciplinary Penalties / Banned Persons

1. The Respondent is given a 2-year suspension of DV membership under Regulation 5.6.1.6 to commence as of 17 June 2025.
2. Under Regulation 5.6.1.7. The Respondent is ordered to refund the entire stud fee amount of $4500.00 to the complainant.
3. Under Regulation 5.6.1.7 the Respondent is ordered to provide a written letter of apology to each of the two complainants, submitted to Dogs Victoria Compliance, for forwarding to the complainants, apologising for providing misleading information about the actual sire of the litter produced and acknowledging the difficulty and harm caused by her conduct.
4. Under Regulation 5.6.1.5 the Respondent is ordered to pay a fine in the sum of $500 to Dogs Victoria.

Appeal held 16/06/2025

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.1,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.15,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.15.1

5.6.1.6 - A suspension of membership privileges is imposed for twelve (12) months effective from 19/08/2025.

5.6.1.5 - The respondent is ordered to pay a fine of $500 to Dogs Victoria

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is ordered prior to reapplying for Membership to Dogs Victoria that he re-sit the Prefix Exam, repair all “dog” fencing so that his yards are all secure.

VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.3,

VCA Code of Conduct by Dogs Victoria Members at Dogs Victoria Events 20.7

5.6.1.6 - A suspension of membership privileges is imposed for twelve (12) months effective from 9th September 2025

5.6.1.6 – The respondent is ordered to pay a fine of $500.00 to Dogs Victoria

Appealed 08/10/2025 – dismissed.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2,

VCA Code of Conduct 20.7

The panel imposes a 12-month suspended membership sentence, conditional upon the respondent maintaining good conduct. In the event that any further breaches or matters are referred to the panel within the suspension period, the sentence will be activated without further hearing and a full 12 month suspension of membership privileges will apply.

No fine was imposed.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Regulation 4.1.3.1.2,

VCA Regulation 4.1.8,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.21

5.6.1.5 - $500 fine payable within one month of 20/01/26

5.6.1.6 - The respondent’s membership is suspended for a period of six (6) months from 20/01/26.

5.6.1.7 - The panel orders the respondent to refund the amount of $1,250 to the complainant. This refund is to be provided within one month of 20/01/26. For any additional time that it takes to provide the refund, this time will be added to the suspension of the respondent. The respondent will remain suspended until all directions of the panel have been met. The respondent is to provide a letter of apology to the complainant for the length of time it has taken to resolve the issue and for any anguish this has caused. The respondent is to ensure she follows up in a timely manner regarding DNA collection and testing. This is to confirm pedigree for a new pedigree to be issued.

Breach of Code of Practice 20.1.4,

Code of Practice 20.1.16,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.2,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.3,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.3.1,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.3.2,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.3.3,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.4,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.4.1,

Code of Practice 20.3.2.4.2,

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17

The respondent is to provide, within fourteen (14) working days, two formal written apologies addressed separately to the witnesses.  To ensure the preparation of these written apologies, the respondent is required to engage the assistance of a family member to support him in drafting the letters.

Should the written apologies not be received within the prescribed timeframe, the respondent’s membership will be fully suspended pending receipt of the apology letters.

In addition, the respondent is suspended for a period of three (3) months under rule 5.6.1.7. from attending the venue KCC Park (State dog venue). However, he is permitted to attend on Tuesdays only for the sole purpose of drop-off and pick-up, limited to a maximum duration of five (5) minutes per visit.

11/03/2026 – Apology letters not received.  Membership is now fully suspended until letters are received.

Breach of VCA Regulation 4.3.1,

VCA Regulation 4.3.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2

5.6.1.1 - A suspension period of 2 months effective 25/02/2026.

5.6.1.6 - A suspension period of 2 months effective 25/02/2026.

5.6.1.7 - A suspended sentence of 12mths suspension from 25/04/2026.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Regulation 3.5.11.6,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2

Appeal hearing held 27/04/2026 – Appeal dismissed, suspension period reduced to 6 months.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17

5.6.1.6 - The respondent’s membership and privileges are suspended for a period of 12months from 20/03/2026.

5.6.1.7 - The respondent must provide a refund of the total purchase price to the purchaser within 3 weeks. Any additional time taken to refund the purchase price will be added to the existing 12 month suspension. The respondent’s membership will remain suspended until the refund has been paid in full.

The dog in question’s pedigree is not to be altered from LR, never to be upgraded.

If the respondent still holds a pedigree certificate for the dog in question, it must be returned to Dogs Victoria within three weeks.

Breach of VCA Code of Practice 20.1.12, VCA Rule 2.17

Breach of VCA Regulation 4.1.12.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.15

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Regulation 4.1.12.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.15

This suspension is granted on the condition that the member commits no further breaches relating to breeding activities during the 6 month suspension period. Should the member commit any further breeding-related breach within this six (6) month period, the suspended penalty will be immediately and automatically enforced in full, without further notice, and the member will be required to serve the entire six (6) month suspension.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.25.3

5.6.1.7 - A full refund of the purchase price of $3,500 is to be made to the complainant within one month of 24/04/2026. Failure to complete this payment by the due date will result in an immediate 6-month suspension of membership including registration of any litters due to be registered during this time. A further direction of refund of $1,000 towards veterinary costs is imposed and payable within one month of 24/04/2026. Failure to complete this payment by the due date will result in an immediate 6-month suspension of membership, in addition to the penalty for not refunding the purchase price within the allocated time frame. The respondent will remain suspended until all payments are made in full. 

Regulation 5.1.12 will apply until all directions and suspension periods are completed as applicable.

Breach of VCA Code of Practice 20.1.3

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is advised to self-reflect on her actions over the past number of events and consider the impact that her actions have had upon other exhibitors. It is the expectation of this panel that the respondent apologise to the steward in writing within two weeks of 29/04/2026 and provide this apology to the DV office. The apology will acknowledge that her behaviour has been taken as inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and affected him personally. Failure to provide this within the time frame will result in an immediate 6-month suspension and remain in place until complied with.

A further suspension of 6 months has been imposed, suspended entirely providing no further breach is proven by the disciplinary panel.

The respondent is encouraged to ensure her actions at all events support others to enjoy their day as well.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.25.3

Once payment has been completed, the matter will be concluded.

Appeal held 28/05/2026 – appeal dismissed.

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.1

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Practice 20.1.2

Breach of VCA Rule 2.17,

VCA Code of Conduct for Members - Social Media 20.6

5.6.1.6 - A fully suspended suspension of 3 months membership has been imposed from 25/07/26.

5.6.1.7 - The respondent is to write a well worded letter of apology to the complainant. This letter is to be forwarded to Dogs Victoria (and approved by the panel).