Complaint Procedure for Situations Happening During a UKC® Licensed Nite Hunt
Revised January 1, 1997

This procedure applies for all situations arising during the time that the Judge’s authority is in effect. Authority of the Judge begins when he is officially designated and receives the scorecard. The authority of the Judge ceases when the scorecard is turned in to the Master of Hounds. The Coonhound Advisor column appearing in COONHOUND BLOODLINES provides official interpretations of UKC Rules and Policies.

The Formal Complaint Procedure does not apply to Zone Semifinals or Finals of the UKC World Coonhound Nite Hunt Championship. The Master of Hounds’ decision will be final in all situations pertaining to activities during the actual hunt. This Formal Complaint Procedure does NOT apply to situations arising under Rule #19 that deals with intimidating, threatening or injuring a Hunter, Judge, Master of Hounds, Club Official or a UKC Representative.

The following steps must be followed:

STEP 1. Attempt to resolve the question with the licensed Master of Hounds, the handler raising the question, the Judge of the cast and the other members of the cast that are available. The Master of Hounds will make a decision based upon the statement of the case provided by the handler, Judge and the other members of the cast. No complaints will be considered by the Master of Hounds after a period of thirty (30) minutes has elapsed from the time that the scorecard has been turned in.

STEP 2. If the question is not resolved at Step 1, request and complete a Formal Complaint Form and return it to the Master of Hounds not later than thirty (30) minutes after the posted deadline to return scorecards. The form must be signed by the individual or individuals making the Formal Complaint and the Master of Hounds and copies properly distributed to UKC, the Host Club, the complainants and the Master of Hounds.

STEP 3. The Host Club or organization will hold a Formal Complaint meeting to resolve the Formal Complaint pursuant to this procedure. The Formal Complaint meeting shall be held within one (1) hour after the deadline for return of scorecards to the Master of Hounds. There shall be a Formal Complaint Committee consisting of three officers or members of the Host Club or organization who must be on hand to timely serve should a meeting become necessary. If the individual filing the Formal Complaint is an officer or member of the club or organization holding the Formal Complaint meeting, that individual cannot conduct the meeting nor be allowed to vote on the question regarding the complaint. The Formal Complaint Committee, the Judge of the cast and the individual who filed the Formal Complaint must be present at the meeting. If the owner or handler of the dog(s) involved in the complaint and the other members of the cast are able to be found at the Host Club site, the Master of Hounds shall advise them that a Formal Complaint has been filed, that a meeting is being held, the time and location of the meeting and that they may be heard at the meeting; however, their presence at the meeting is not mandatory.

STEP 4. Once the Formal Complaint meeting is held, the results must be sent to UKC on the completed Formal Complaint Meeting Results Form included with each hunt packet.

STEP 5. UKC will review the results of the meeting and will either agree or disagree with the club or organization’s decision; however, UKC reserves unto itself, in its sole judgement and discretion, the right to make corrections it deems necessary.