WHEREAS the mission of the American Kennel Club includes "promoting the sport of purebred dogs;"

WHEREAS in furtherance of the mission, the American Kennel Club establishes rules for conformation and performance dog sports and sanctions events held under those rules by its licensed and member clubs;

WHEREAS the life and continuity of the sport of purebred dogs depends on spreading the love of the sport to new participants including young people;

WHEREAS the American Kennel Club actively advertises and promotes the sport of purebred dogs as a family activity and showcases the junior handling competition as a place for children to learn conformation events and become involved in the sport of purebred dogs; 

WHEREAS each of us whose signature appears below is actively involved in AKC sanctioned events in the sport of purebred dogs as owners, exhibitors, breeders and handlers of purebred dogs;

WHEREAS it is common knowledge in the sport of purebred dogs that multiple children competing in the sport of purebred dogs have become victims of sexual abuse because of their participation in the sport of purebred dogs and on the grounds of dog shows; 

WHEREAS every State and the United States has a public registry for the identification of sex offender;

NOW THEREFORE, WE THE UNDERSIGNED IMPLORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, MEMBER CLUB DELEGATES TO THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, AND EXECUTIVES OF THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB TO IMMEDIATELY EFFECT A CHANGE TO THE RULES OF THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB BY ADDING A RULE PROHIBITING ANY REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FROM BEING ON THE SHOW GROUNDS OF ANY AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SANCTIONED CONFORMATION OR PERFORMANCE EVENT.