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Standards and Guidelines - Forensic Science Communications - October 2008
Standards and Guidelines - Forensic Science Communications - October 2008
Appendix 1
Example of Training Company (*****) and Vendor Responsibilities
1. General
Vendors who have been previously registered with ***** should supply the number of dogs ordered by ***** and deliver those dogs on the dates requested. Vendors who do not have a previous relationship with ***** must make an appointment to have dogs evaluated.
The entire consignment period, to include medical examinations and performance/behavior evaluations for all dogs being considered for the ***** program, is 20 days from arrival at the ***** training center.
All dogs presented to ***** for evaluation must have collars with the dogs’ name affixed to the collar. All dogs must be generally alert, active, outgoing, curious, and confident. They must display basic socialization and tolerance of people.
Dogs should not be afraid, shy, or nervous around people. An overaggressive dog that is unable to work around people and other dogs or aggresses on handlers will not be considered for procurement. Dogs that are difficult to crate or uncrate will not be considered. Dogs that exhibit excessive panting not due to heat or exercise will not be considered. Dogs will be observed indoors with different types of flooring surfaces, stairs, and other distracting features. Dogs that exhibit sensitivity or fear to such surroundings will not be considered.
Dogs that bite at their leash and will not release on command will not be considered. Dogs introduced to or trained to detect drugs and later trained to detect explosives or vice versa will not be considered.
2. Payment
***** will pay 50 percent down upon arrival, or upon receipt of airway bill, of dogs at the ***** training center. ***** will then have 14 days to evaluate and process the dogs. The vendor will be paid the remaining balance within 14 days, once the dog(s) has/have passed the entrance evaluation. Reliable vendors may be able to get a guarantee of the number of dogs sold to ***** on a regular basis. Invoices submitted to ***** shall include all expenses such as shipping, crate charge, health certificate, etc. ***** asks that all expenses be itemized on each invoice.
3. Transportation Arrangements
The vendor will be responsible for paying transportation costs for all dogs shipped to *****, for evaluation into the ***** program. If the dog is purchased, the vendor will be reimbursed for the cost of shipping incurred.
Vendors are responsible for crating and shipping each canine submitted to *****. Canine vendors must provide a copy of the certificate of rabies vaccination for each dog. This certificate facilitates processing if the dog is returned. ***** requires that all dogs presented for evaluation have current vaccinations that will remain current for a minimum of 60 days after arrival at the ***** training facility.
Any vendor who chooses to drive its dogs to the ***** training center for evaluation MUST make an appointment to have the dogs evaluated.
Vendors are required to pay for return shipping on any dog that does not meet the evaluation requirements of *****. These requirements are set forth to vendors prior to dogs’ being evaluated to give vendors ample warning of what will and will not be accepted by *****.
4. Canine Requirements
German shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch shepherds are the preferred breeds for the ***** program. All dogs presented for evaluation must have a known birth date and must not be more than 36 months of age at the time of evaluation. Both male and female dogs are accepted for evaluation.
Single-purpose, sporting-breed detection dogs will be considered on a case-by-case basis or when specifically requested from a vendor.
Weight on all breeds must be proportional to the dog’s frame and skeletal size. Dogs presented for evaluation must not be overweight or underweight for their conformation. Structural defects—such as degenerative hips, elbows, or back—must be guaranteed for one (1) year.
All vendors must guarantee the general health of the dog to be considered for 90 days. The dog’s skeletal system must carry a one-year guarantee. Workability must be guaranteed for 30 days.
5. Medical Requirements
Vendors may submit diagnostic elbow and hip radiographs (X-rays) to ***** for nonbinding evaluation of elbow and hip conformation. This may help the vendor determine whether to present the dog for evaluation. The cost of medical examinations performed by private veterinarians is not reimbursed by *****. Each dog presented to ***** will be evaluated by *****’s veterinary service. This evaluation will include complete physical examination; collection of blood, urine, and fecal samples for routine testing; and anesthesia and radiographs of the hips and elbows.
6. Common Disqualifying Medical Conditions
Hematological abnormalities consistent with severe parasitism, infection, or metabolic disease.
Poor body condition, either emaciation or obesity.
Severe periodontal disease.
Severe, nonresolving or intractable otitis externa or dermatitis.
Radiographic signs of hip or elbow dysplasia.
Transitional vertebrae of the caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction, or sacrum.
Previous musculoskeletal injury that has or may lead to degenerative joint disease or conformational abnormality.
7. Entrance Testing
***** reserves the right to use all of the time allotted to evaluate dogs. ***** may return or make return shipping arrangements with a vendor regarding any dog that does not meet the evaluation standards within 21 days of the canine’s arrival at the ***** training center.
All dogs will be put through the standardized entrance evaluations, which are broken down as follows:
Canine Health Evaluation.
Temperament/Detection Evaluation.
Service Dog Evaluation.
Canine Health Evaluation includes evaluation of the:
Coat and skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth, teeth, gums, legs, paws, heart, abdomen, lungs, gastrointestinal system, urogenital system, anal sacs, and X-rays of the hips, elbows, and spine. (See Attachment 1 for full evaluation.)
Temperament/Detection Evaluation includes:
General kennel behavior, loading/unloading, confidence on stairway, reaction to unexpected stimulus, reward persistence, hunt drive, reaction to gunfire test, and additional retrieve-drive testing. (See Attachment 2 for full evaluation.)
Service Dog Evaluation includes:
Several different sleeve bites under different conditions with different decoys, measuring the quality of the grip and the commitment to obtain grip. (See Attachment 3 for full evaluation.)
Vendor Agreement
_____ agrees to sell ******* dual-purpose quality dogs per month at $____ or single-purpose sporting dogs on request at $____ .
______________ ______________
Vendor Signature ******* Signature
Vendor Information:
Company name (if applicable): Contact name: Address:
Phone number: E-mail address:
Banking Wire Information:
Bank name: Account number: Routing number: Additional wire instructions: