IHCUS Constitution and By-Laws
By-Laws
ARTICLE VI - Discipline
SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.
SECTION 2. Charges
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or Breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary, together with a deposit of ten dollars ($10.00), which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board or committee following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board, or present them at a Board Meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the action alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the Breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board or a committee of not less than three members of the Board, not less than three weeks nor more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail, together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.
SECTION 3. Board Hearing
The Board or Committee shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board or Committee, by a majority of those present, shall suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing, or until the next Annual Meeting, if that will occur after six (6) months. If it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. On such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Annual Meeting which considers the recommendation of the Board or Committee. Immediately after the Board or Committee has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.
SECTION 4. Expulsion
Expulsion from the Club may be accomplished only at the Annual meeting following a hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board or Committee as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges, the findings, and the recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf. The meeting shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the suspension shall stand.