Origin

1. The greyhound originated in the Ancient East and references to coursing in that area go back some 4,000 years. Coursing, and coursing dogs, are depicted on the walls of Egyptian tombs and on ancient Greek urns. Coursing was popular in Britain by the first century BC, and anthropologists calculate that the brown hare arrived in Britain from Europe at the same time, imported for coursing purposes. Vases discovered near Hadrians Wall in the first century AD show dogs identical to modern greyhounds coursing hares. In AD 116 Flavius Arianus, a Roman living in Gaul, wrote: "The true sportsman does not take out his dogs to destroy the hares, but for the sake of the course ... and is glad if the hare escapes." The same rule holds true today.

2. The Duke of Norfolk drew up the first uniformly accepted rules of coursing for Queen Elizabeth I, and coursing grew in popularity over the centuries, enjoying its zenith in the period 1880-1914. The principal event, the Waterloo Cup, first run in 1836, drew crowds of up to 80,000 at the turn of the century.

Today

3. From the 80,000 crowds at the turn of the century, when 300 coursing clubs were in existence, the popularity of coursing as a mass spectator sport declined, particularly following the introduction of urban greyhound racing in the 1920s. Its popularity has stabilised over the last 15 years despite continuous political harassment. There are now 24 greyhound coursing clubs affiliated to the National Coursing Club as well as clubs for other breeds such as whippets, salukis, deerhounds, and lurchers. Some 9,000 people annually pay to see the Waterloo Cup.

Rules and Organisation

4. The National Coursing Club has controlled greyhound coursing since 1858 in the same way as the Jockey Club controls racing. It has wide powers to enforce its rules and codes of conduct, and can warn off any individual or coursing club which transgresses. It licenses the various officials and coursing clubs.

5. Since 1975 the National Coursing Club has insisted on the presence at each of its meetings of a "Coursing Inspector". This official ensures that the terms of Rule 41. Welfare of the Hare are stringently observed. The Rule provides for the presence of four "pickers-up" whose task, if a hare is brought down by the dogs, is to secure the hare immediately and ensure that it is dead. The Rule also insists that the ground does not restrict the ability of the hares to escape, and that the slipper ensures that the hare is given at least 80 yards "law" (start) before he releases the greyhounds. The complete Rules of the National Coursing Club are appended.

6. The National Coursing Club has volunteered to be a member of the Independent Supervisory Authority for Hunting.

7. The National Coursing Club consists of 30 "Elected Members", respected coursers elected by the Club at large, and of two representatives for each affiliated club. The Club is administered by a President, a Chairman, a Treasurer and a Standing Committee, all of whom are elected by the Members of the Club. The Standing Committee appoints a salaried Secretary and staff as necessary to administer the everyday affairs of the Club. Since 1858 the Club has published throughout the season a "Coursing Calendar" which records every course run at its meetings. Its detailed reports and results compose a remarkable sporting history of greyhounds which have passed into legend, like Master M'Grath and Fullerton.

8. In 1882 the National Coursing Club founded the Greyhound Stud Book which safeguards the pedigrees of all pedigree greyhounds (for coursing and racing) in England, Wales and Scotland. The greyhound names, ownerships, and pedigrees are published annually in the Greyhound Stud Book, which has now reached Volume 119. The publication is widely read throughout the greyhound community. All greyhounds running at National Coursing Club meetings and running on tracks licensed by the National Greyhound Racing Club must carry a Stud Book identity card. In other words, the Greyhound Stud Book acts for greyhound coursing and racing as the equivalent of Wetherbys for horse racing. All records are computerised, and DNA analysis may be used to support the registration of pedigrees. The Greyhound Stud Book, together with the Australian, American, and Irish Greyhound Stud Books make up the International Alliance of Greyhound Registries. These Stud Books permit only greyhounds from each other's books to be registered, and so the greyhound has been a "closed breed" for almost a hundred years. The Greyhound Stud Book office consists of the Keeper of the Stud Book, (who also acts as the Secretary of the National Coursing Club,) his Assistant, and one part-timer. Greyhound racing accounts for over 20% of off-course betting in this country, and so an efficient registration system is obviously an important responsibilty.

Coursing Clubs

9. The coursing clubs are autonomous, with their own organising committees. They pay an affiliation fee to the National Coursing Club each year and subscribe to an en-bloc liabilty insurance scheme administered by the National Coursing Club. The clubs, however, must conduct their meetings strictly according to the Rules of the National Coursing Club, and failure to do so may lead to expulsion. The clubs may only employ judges and slippers licensed by the National Coursing Club. A fixture list for the season is arranged by the clubs under the supervision of the National Coursing Club each spring. All clubs observe the close season imposed by the National Coursing Club.

10. The current list of coursing clubs and their secretaries is as follows:

ALRESFORD: Mrs S. Merison, Bransbury Mill, Barton Stacey, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3QJ. Tel: 01962 760232

ALTCAR: Mr B. Ibbotson, 2a Westbourne Road, Southport PR8 2JU. Tel: 01704 560091, fax 01704 564419

BRYN-Y-PYS: Mr D. Higham, Rose Farm, Coddington, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9EN. Tel: 01829 782420

COLCHESTER: Mrs B. Beard, The Haven, Heath Road, Stanway Green, Colchester, Essex CO3 5QR. Tel: 01206 330310

COQUETDALE & BORDER: Mr J. Eadie, 8 Murraysgate Crescent, Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 0QH. Tel: 01501 740294

COTSWOLD: Mrs E. Stott, Woodland House, Manby, Louth, Lincs LN11 8HL. Tel: 01507 327303

EAST OF ENGLAND: Mrs A. Balls, Bridge House, Church Lane, Tydd St Giles, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 5LG. Tel: 01945 870386

ENVILLE MEETING: Mrs J. Scott-Bolton, Leigh House Farm, Enville, Nr Stourbridge, West Midlands DY7 5LB. Tel: 01384 877353

HUNTINGDON: Mrs B. Brodie, Grendon House Farm, Grendon, Northampton NN7 1JW. Tel: 01933 665444

ISLE OF ELY: Mr P. Barrow, 144b South Road, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 6DA. Tel: 01708 671047, 0411 844921 (mobile)

ISLE OF WIGHT: Mr E. Smith, Milverton, Lane End, Bembridge, Isle of Wight PO35 5SZ. Tel: 01983 873695

KIMBERLEY & WYMONDHAM: Mrs Y. Bannister, Rose Cottage, Mellis Road, Yaxley, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DB. Tel: 01379 783964

NORTH HERTS: Mrs D. Hibbitt, Rose Villa, Bythorne Bank, Tydd Fen, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 5NL. Tel: 01945 440222

NORTH LINCS: Mr B. Lumb, Yew Tree Cottage, Dean Head, Barkisland, Halifax HX4 0EA. Tel: 01422 822406, mobile 07808 731216

OLD YORKSHIRE: Miss E. Hall, 2 St Alkeldas Road, Middleham, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4PW. Tel: 01969 622063

RYEDALE: Mrs J. Douse, Daleside Farm, Sandy Lane, Wilsill, Harrogate, Yorkshire. Tel: 01423 712124

SCOTTISH NATIONAL: Mrs J. Pearson, Applegarth House, Lockerbie, Dumfries DG11 1SX. Tel: 01387 810270

SHERBURN FARMERS: Mr A. Lunn, Low Mill, Sherburn, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8QN. Tel: 01944 710251

SOUTH OF ENGLAND & NEWMARKET: Mr H. Collingridge, Harraton Court Stables, Chapel Street, Exning, Suffolk CB8 7HA. Tel: 01638 577288 (office), 01638 577952 (home)

SPORTSMAN'S CLUB: Mr C. Neville, George Bishops Bungalow, Birch Park, Birch, Colchester, Essex CO2 0LS. Tel: 01206 331081

SWAFFHAM: Mrs P. West, Run Sally Run, Metton Road, Felbrigg, Norwich NR11 8PJ. Tel: 01263 515271, e-mail patsywest.swaffham@virgin.net

WATERLOO CUP: Mr R. Mills, Court Farm, Kenchester, Herefordshire HR4 7QJ. Tel: 01981 590253, fax 01981 590443

WEST OF ENGLAND: Mrs G. Spens, The Cottage, Preston Lane, Lydeard St Lawrence, Taunton TA4 3QQ. Tel: 01984 656120

YEOVIL & SHERBORNE: Mr R. Tovey, 6 Inglestone Road, Wickwar, Nr Wotton-under-Edge, Glos GL12 8NH. Tel: 01454 294769

The Dogs

11. Coursing remains the ultimate test of a greyhound. In the 19th century the tremendous popularity of coursing with all strata of society saw enormous investment in the perfection of the breed. The intense competition of Victorian coursing produced a remarkable creature, with classic looks, dazzling speed, and bottomless courage. All the greyhounds running today on track and field in Britain, Ireland, America, and Australia trace directly to Waterloo Cup winners of the past. Many of today's track stars come from very recent coursing families, thus preserving the greyhound's determination to chase even an artificial lure. Many greyhound owners enjoy both coursing and track racing, and it is possible to use the same dogs for both.

12. Breeding and training greyhounds requires enormous commitment from enthusiasts. Considerable time and expertise, as well as expense, are required to breed and rear successful dogs. Greyhounds can change hands for considerable sums, whether for racing, coursing, or breeding. Stud fees for the best coursing sires can be as much as £600 a service. Recorded methods of greyhound husbandry go back to ancient times, and in broad detail remain much the same today. The welfare of the greyhounds is paramount. Good food, freedom of exercise, and sound kennels are the basics. If you wish to rear as well as train your own greyhounds, land is required as well as kennels, say, a minimum of 5 acres.

13. Greyhounds chase only by sight. The term "gazehound" is still used to describe this genus of dog, and "greyhound" may be a corruption of the term. Greyhounds come in several colours but are never grey! The Romans referred to them as Gallic hounds, because of the popularity of the sport in that area. If the quarry disappears, a greyhound will quickly stop. It has no notion of further pursuit or of scent. An average coursing greyhound dog stands some 28" at the shoulder and weighs 80lbs. The bitches are smaller, but are more agile and, curiously, often braver. The greyhound, which can travel at speeds nearing 40 miles an hour, can maintain top speed for only short periods of time. After thirty seconds of running, he will slow up considerably, and after a minute will be reduced to a steady lope.

14. Greyhounds are always known as "dogs", never "hounds"!

The Hares

15. For centuries the hare remained a creature of myth and mystery but recent research by the Game Conservancy and other naturalists has revealed much of the hare's very private life.

16. Two distinct types of hares are common in the British Isles. The native hare is the "Blue" or "Mountain" hare, indigenous to Scotland, and is found on high hills and moorland. Large numbers were moved in the last century to Wales, the Pennines, and the Peak District, mainly for sporting purposes, and their descendants still remain. In Winter their coat can turn from brown to white to blend with the snow. Before the brown hare was imported from Europe for coursing, the native hare lived at low levels as well but the bigger brown hare took over the lowland habitats, in much the same way as the grey squirrel drove out the red. The Irish hare is similar to the Blue Hare except that, because the brown hare was not introduced into Ireland, it is found in both lowlands and highlands, and its coat does not change colour.

17. The Brown Hare is the more familiar type, living on downs and lowland farmland in England and southern Scotland. The Brown Hare is significantly bigger than the Blue or Irish hare, and it is not indigenous. It was imported by the Romans for coursing, and it has flourished as a game species ever since. Greyhound coursing clubs course only brown hares.

18. All hares live above ground, sheltering in a shallow scrape known as a "form". They are basically nocturnal, feeding by night on a wide variety of fodder depending on the season; young winter cereals, grass, root crops, vegetables and weeds. During the day they will lie up in their forms in suitable cover like ploughland, stubble, and setaside. In rough weather they will often take cover in woods and shelter belts if available, or on the driest land under the lee of a ridge or high ground.

19. The famous "boxing" matches and other antics between "mad March hares" are related to courtship. They normally take place between the male "buck" and female "doe". The doe is only receptive to a mate for a matter of hours on one day during her oestral cycle, and a "boxing" match is normally between a doe resisting untimely advances and a buck. Does also resist bucks low in their local hierarchy, and some bucks fight each other for possession of does.

20. Gestation lasts some 42 days when the doe drops a maximum of four young, fully furred and open-eyed. The "leverets" are then sometimes distributed by the doe between different forms to increase the chances of survival, and she visits each one in turn to suckle them. In less than a fortnight she deserts them, and the leverets have to fend for themselves. The buck takes no part in the raising of the young; he cannot help feed them nor protect them against predators. Theoretically does can bear four litters a year, but two would be the norm. Hares in the wild rarely live longer than four years.

Coursing Season

21. There is no statutory close season for the hare, but the National Coursing Club imposes one to encourage the breeding of the hares. No Coursing Meeting shall take place between March 11th and September 14th in any year, both dates inclusive.

22. Courses run during the 1990's

1990/91 84 days 1951 courses

1991/92 94 days 2094 courses

1992/93 100 days 2043 courses

1993/94 96 days 1838 courses

1994/95 99 days 2041 courses

1995/96 87 days 1880 courses

1996/97 89 days 1967 courses

1997/98 100 days 1981 courses

1998/99 90 days 1611 courses

23. Fixture List for the current season:

List of Fixtures for Coursing Season 1999-2000

SEPTEMBER

30 Altcar

OCTOBER

6 Coquetdale & Border

North Herts

9 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

11 Kimberley & Wymondham

16 Colchester

18 Swaffham

20/21 Altcar

23 Isle of Ely

Ryedale

Sportsmans

25 North Lincs

Alresford (p)

27/28 Scottish National

30 Colchester

East of England

NOVEMBER

1/2 Kimberley & Wymondham

3 North Herts

5 Isle of Ely (p)

Sportsmans

6 Isle of Ely

Yeovil & Sherborne

8/9 Swaffham

9 Cotswold

10 Coquetdale & Border

11 Huntingdon

12/13 Old Yorkshire

13 Colchester

15 Alresford

19 West of England

Isle of Ely (p)

20 East of England

Isle of Ely

Ryedale

Sportsmans

22 Kimberley & Wymondham

24/25 Altcar

27 Colchester

29/30 North Lincs

DECEMBER

1/2 Scottish National

4 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

6 Kimberley & Wymondham

6/7 Huntingdon

7 Cotswold

8 North Herts

8/9 Alresford

11 Colchester

Ryedale

Yeovil & Sherborne

13 North Lincs (p)

13/14 Swaffham

15 Coquetdale & Border

17 West of England

17/18 East of England

18 Colchester

Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

20 Kimberley & Wymondham

27 North Herts (p)

28 North Herts (p)

Swaffham (p)

28/29 Old Yorkshire

29 Swaffham

JANUARY

1 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

3 Kimberley & Wymondham

4 Cotswold

7 Bryn y Pys

8 Colchester

10/11 North Lincs

12 Coquetdale & Border

North Herts

14 West of England

14/15 East of England

15 Yeovil & Sherborne

18 Huntingdon

21/22 Old Yorkshire

27 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

29 Colchester

FEBRUARY

3 Cotswold

4/5 East of England

5 Isle of Ely

Ryedale (p)

Sportsmans

7/8/9 Swaffham

9 Bryn y Pys

10 Coquetdale & Border

Swaffham (p)

11 West of England

11/12 Kimberley & Wymondham

12 Colchester

14/15 Alresford

16 North Herts

16/17 Old Yorkshire

18/19 East of England

19 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

Yeovil & Sherborne

22/23/24 Waterloo Cup

25 Waterloo Cup (p)

26 Colchester

28 Kimberley & Wymondham

MARCH

2/3 Enville

4 Isle of Ely

Sportsmans

Swaffham

6 Cotswold

7 Alresford

8 North Herts

9/10 Old Yorkshire (p)

Coursing Meetings

24. All National Coursing Club meetings are run at the invitation of the landowners, farmers, and tenants. Some NCC meetings have been run on the same grounds for generations, and the landowners take tremendous pride in preserving the hares for the coursing. They accept the consequent crop damage in the traditional spirit of sporting hospitality, and their conservation work acts as one of the strongest arguments in the defence of the sport against those who seek to abolish it.

25. The number of people attending a coursing meeting can vary between 6,000 on the first day of the Waterloo Cup and 60 at a small club meeting on a rough winter's day. Some will be employed by the club to help provide the day's coursing; the judge, slipper, gamekeepers, beaters, and trailer drivers. Others will be connected with the dogs entered to run at the meeting. Others will be spectators interested in watching the matches between the dogs in the same way as spectators at a race meeting. Facilities for the spectators vary from catering marquees and portaloos at the Waterloo Cup, through basic hot snacks from a van at smaller meetings, to fresh air and a good view at others.

26. Open coursing is a knockout competition based on "courses" between two greyhounds who hunt solely by sight - their very name being a corruption of the word "gazehound". Its object is to test greyhounds for speed, stamina and agility and not to kill hares. Only a small minority of the hares coursed are killed.

27. Wild hares are driven by a team of beaters from adjacent farmland into the coursing field. Once a hare is on the field, it is allowed a start of a minimum of 80 yards before the two dogs are released simultaneously by an official known as the slipper. A mounted judge awards the dogs points for speed and their skill in making the hare turn.

28. The dog which is adjudged the winner goes forward into the next round where he will meet the winner of the succeeding course.

29. The majority of courses end when the dogs lose sight of the hare when it runs into cover or through a hedge. On some coursing grounds special refuges called "soughs" are provided to aid the escape of the hare. As soon as it is out of view, the greyhounds stop. Having a poor sense of smell, they cannot hunt unless the quarry is in view.

30. An average course last 35-40 seconds in which time a greyhound can cover a third of a mile. Hares have greater stamina than the greyhounds, and the dogs initial speed advantage is soon overcome since with an 80 yard slip it will be about 300 yards before the greyhound reaches the hare. A hare weighing 10-12 lbs can turn in its own length while a greyhound weighing six or seven times as much will invariably overshoot.

31. On average about 1 in 8 hares are caught but contrary to popular opinion, which believes that the dog which catches the hare is the winner, the result of a course is very rarely decided by the death of a hare. No more than one point can be awarded for a kill, and then only if the dog has achieved it without the assistance of his opponent. This point could only decide the course if previously the scores of the two dogs were even.

32. A more detailed guide follows:

The purpose of coursing under National Coursing Club Rules is to test the merit of two greyhounds in competion.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

NCC

The National Coursing Club, the governing body of greyhound coursing, is responsible for drawing up the rules under which affiliated meetings are conducted.

THE MEET

The place where everyone gathers before going to the actual field where the coursing takes place.

RUNNING GROUND

The field where the coursing takes place.

THE BEAT

The area from which hares will be driven on to the running ground by beaters holding flags. "The Beat" also describes the "beaters" as a whole.

DRIVEN COURSING

At most meetings all the hares are driven by beaters. The running ground is often walked-over before coursing to clear any hares sitting on the field.

WALKED UP COURSING

The crowd walks across a field with the slipper in the middle, putting up hares to be coursed as it goes. Some meetings are completely or partially "walked-up".

SLIPPER

The official in a red coat responsible for releasing (slipping) the dogs in pairs simultaneously.

SHY

A hide for the slipper.

JUDGE

The official, mounted and in full hunting dress, who decides the result of each course.

STEWARDS

Officials who control the running of the meeting.

FLAG STEWARD

Official who signals to the crowd the results of the courses etc with flags.

COURSING INSPECTOR

NCC official who ensures that the hares have every opportunity to escape.

PICKERS-UP

Quickly secure the hare from the greyhounds if the hare is caught and ensure that it is dead.

SOUGH

An artificial escape hole for hares, (pronounced "suff").

MEUSE

Any of the natural escape routes by which the hares leave the field. All hares coursed under NCC Rules are living in a wild and natural state. They are coursed over ground not restricted in any way and regularly use the escape routes during their everyday lives.

BYE

Sometimes runners are withdrawn from their courses, either because of absence, injury, or weariness. Their opponent still has to run a course - a "bye" - so that it will have run the same number of courses as its next opponent. The dog may run alone or accompanied.

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WHAT HAPPENS

ONE

The Beat goes out and starts to drive hares towards the running ground. The object is for hares to enter the field one at a time when the greyhounds are ready in slips.

TWO

The Slipper, hidden from the hares by a shy or by natural cover such as a hedge, holds in the slips a pair of dogs. The dog on his left wears a distinguishing red collar, the dog on his right wears a white collar.

THREE

When a suitable hare comes through, the Slipper moves out so that both greyhounds can see the hare. When it is at least 80 yards ahead, the Slipper releases the dogs.

FOUR

The Judge positions himself opposite to where he expects the run-up to finish, and then follows the course as it weaves about the field.

FIVE

At the end of the course the Judge signals the winner by holding up a red or white handkerchief according to the winning dog's collar. If he takes off his hat instead, the scores are even; it is an "undecided" and the course will be run again. If he waves his hand across his chest, it is a "no-course" which could not be judged, and the course will be run again.

SIX

In the vast majority of courses the course ends when the hare escapes unharmed. Greyhounds hunt by sight alone and stop when they lose sight of the hare. The dogs are caught as quickly as possible by their owners, trainers or handlers.

SEVEN

The result indicated by the judge is signalled to the crowd by the Flag Steward holding up either a red or white flag. Other flags are used. Blue indicates a "bye" is being run; the colour of the collar of the dog running the bye will be flown at the same time. Yellow means that dogs which have run an undecided course are in slips. Green, flown with red or white, means that a reserve dog is running in the collar indicated. Green flown alone summons a Stewards' Meeting.

EIGHT

Coursing events are simple "knock-out" competitions, like a tennis tournament, in which the winners progress to the next round. A stake for eight dogs will mean four courses in the first round, two courses at the semi-final stage, and then a final. The stake is arranged by "drawing" the runners to form four pairs. These are shown on the programme or "card", on which spectators mark the results so that they can follow the progress of the stake.

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POINTS OF THE COURSE

THE RUN-UP

The run from slips until the hare is turned for the first time. (Worth a maximum of 3 points to the faster dog.)

A TURN

When a dog forces a hare to turn through more than 90 degrees. (Worth 1 point.)

A WRENCH

When a dog forces a hare to turn through less than 90 degrees. (Worth « point.)

A GO-BY

Where a dog starts a length behind his opponent, passes him in a straight run or on the outside circle, gets a clear length in front of him, and turns, flecks or kills the hare. (Worth a maximum of 3 points.)

THE KILL

Not more than one point, and only if the dog achieves it through "superior dash and skill" and without the help of the other runner.

THE TRIP

Not more than one point where a dog "flecks" the hare.

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A TYPICAL COURSE

Points

Red White

RED leads by three lengths on the run-up 3

RED turns the hare more than 90 degrees 1

WHITE gets in for three wrenches 1«

RED turns the hare again 1

WHITE turns the hare 1

WHITE scores two more wrenches 1

Hare escapes through fence

TOTAL 5 3«

The winner is the dog with the red collar

Past Legislation & Public Opinion

33. There are many myths about coursing, most of which are untrue but are widely believed. Among them are claims that hares are released from boxes or that they are coursed in an arena from which there is no escape. Another is that they die from exhaustion after being coursed, whereas being creatures designed for flight, they have far more stamina than the greyhound as can be seen time and time again on the coursing field.

34. It is not surprising therefore that people who believe these myths are opposed to coursing. The 1976 House of Lords Select Committee in its findings said: "It has been argued that public opinion is increasingly opposed to coursing matches. We point out however that if those canvassed are as ignorant of the facts as we were before the inquiry, the value of this statement must be considered debatable". Those opposed to coursing expend considerable time and effort on attacking the sport by seeking to play on the emotions of those who know little of it.

35. Various Bills have been introduced to try to ban the sport since 1945, but three independent inquiries in the last thirty years, when considering the fact rather than emotion, have all found in the sport's favour. The latest by the House of Lords Select Committee in 1976, set up under the Labour Government of Harold Wilson, concluded: "The Bill is not a suitable instrument for reducing the suffering of hares ... the ethical question should, in our opinion, be for the individual conscience and not for legislation".

The National Coursing Club agrees.

(A further submission on headings 2-17 will follow in due course.)

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APPENDIX I

CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS 2000

(A) The Objects of the National Coursing Club are:-

(1) Generally to further the interests of Coursing by all lawful methods conducive to such object:

(2) To control and regulate Coursing in the United Kingdom and to act as a Board of Appeal:

(3) To encourage Coursing in the United Kingdom:

(4) To promote and safeguard in Parliament and with Local Authorities, Public Boards and elsewhere the interests of all concerned with or interested in Coursing:

(5) To publish, print and advertise leaflets, pamphlets, books, magazines, posters or any other matter or thing whatsoever which may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of any of the objects of the National Coursing Club, and particularly to publish the Greyhound Stud Book and the Coursing Calendar:

(6) To arrange International Agreements:

(7) To raise loans at interest and to give security for loans or credit:

(8) For the purposes and benefit of the National Coursing Club, so far as the law will allow, to purchase, take on lease, hire or otherwise acquire any property, real or personal, and to sell, lease, invest, deal with or otherwise dispose of or develop the same and to enter into any contracts or agreements that may be necessary or suitable for carrying out any of the objects of the National Coursing Club:

(9) To utilise the funds of the National Coursing Club for any of the above purposes:

(10) To do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

(B) Interpretation of Words and Phrases

"Affiliated Club" means a Coursing Club affiliated to the Club.

An "Authorised Coursing Meeting" is a coursing meeting held under all the Bye-laws and Code of Rules or under the jurisdiction of a recognized Authority.

"Bye-laws" means the Constitution and Bye-laws of the Club, which means The National Coursing Club.

"Code of Rules" means the Code of Rules of the Club.

"Confederacy" means any two or more persons registered as confederates under Bye-law U.

"Coursing Club" means an association or body of persons formed for the purpose of holding meetings at which coursing takes place.

A "Coursing Meeting" is a meeting at which coursing takes place, other than a meeting by private invitation.

"Disputed Matter" means any objection, appeal from stewards, or question or matter in dispute.

"General Meeting" includes the Principal General Meeting and the Spring General Meeting.

A "Meeting by private invitation" is a meeting at which Coursing takes place where entries are privately invited by the organiser or organisers.

"Month" means calendar month.

"Recognized Authority" means any club, authority, or body of which the Standing Committee shall approve and which controls Coursing in any place outside England, Wales and Scotland.

"Registered" means registered with the Keeper of the Greyhound Stud Book.

"The Secretary" means the Secretary of the Club.

"The Stud Book" means the Greyhound Stud Book.

(C) Composition

The Club shall be composed of representative Members nominated in accordance with Bye-law (D) together with not more than 30 members elected as provided in Bye-law (F).

(D) Club Representation

(1) Each affiliated Club being of at least one year's standing and having not less than 24 Members shall be entitled at all times to have not more than two of its Members as Representative Members of the Club.

(2) A Representative member shall be nominated by his affiliated Club and his name and address notified to the Secretary, before the Principal General Meeting. At the next Standing Committee meeting that Committee may, at the instance of any Member of the Club, reject such nomination, but unless the nomination is so rejected, the Representative Member shall automatically become a Member of the Club at the conclusion of such next Standing Committee meeting. Where a nomination is rejected the affiliated club concerned shall make a fresh nomination.

(3) Subject to Bye-law (G) a Representative Member shall remain a Member of the Club at the pleasure of the affiliated club nominating him.

(4) Should an affiliated club fail to hold a Coursing Meeting for two consecutive seasons the Club may, for such period as it thinks fit, terminate the right of such affiliated club to have representative members in the Club, and their membership shall cease accordingly.

(E) Affiliation

(1) The Club may permit any Coursing Club in England, Scotland or Wales to become affiliated to the Club upon such evidence as to qualification as the Club thinks fit.

(2) Each affiliated club shall subscribe (see appendix) annually to the Club funds, payable on the first of September to the Secretary.

(3) If the subscription of any affiliated club is not paid before the Spring General Meeting, its representative members may not attend that meeting, and if the subscription is still unpaid on the first of June such club shall thereupon cease to be affiliated and the matter shall be reported to the Club by the Secretary at the next General Meeting.

(F) Election of Members

(1) Well known supporters of public coursing may be elected as members of the Club, such elections to take place only at the Principal and Spring General Meetings, or at any adjournment thereof if no quorum be present. Election shall be by ballot.

(2) The agenda for the Principal and Spring General Meetings shall include the name and address of each candidate for election and the names of his proposer and seconder, who must be members of the Club. At least one month's written notice signed by the proposer and the seconder and stating the name and address of the candidate must be given to the Secretary.

(G) Loss of Membership

(1) If any member (whether representative or elected) shall resign, be convicted of an indictable offence, adjudged a Bankrupt, or make a composition or arrangement with his creditors under the provisions of any statute, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Club at the Standing Committee's discretion.

(2) It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee, if at any time they shall be of the opinion that the interests of the Club or of Coursing so require, by letter to invite any member (whether representative or elected) to withdraw from the Club within a time specified therein. In default of such withdrawal the Standing Committee shall consider the question of his expulsion at their next Meeting, when the member whose expulsion is under consideration may offer an explanation of his conduct verbally or in writing. If two-thirds of the members of the Standing Committee present shall then vote for his expulsion he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Club. For the purposes of this Bye-law the quorum shall be five. No appeal shall lie to the Club in General Meeting.

(3) A Representative Member shall cease to be a member of the Club if the Coursing Club nominating him shall cease to be affiliated to the Club.

(H) General Meetings

The Club shall annually hold the following meetings for the dispatch of business:-

(1) The Principal General Meeting to be held in June at a time and place as shall be notified by the Secretary. At such meeting, in addition to any other business, the Treasurer and Secretary shall submit an audited statement of income and expenditure and the Club shall for the ensuing year elect three of its members as President, Chairman and Treasurer respectively and appoint an Auditor.

(2) On a day in February at such a time and place as shall be notified to Members by the Secretary a meeting known as the Spring General Meeting.

(3) At such other times and places as may be deemed necessary and prescribed by the Standing Committee, Meetings to be known as General Meetings.

(I) Procedure at General Meetings

(1) At General Meetings the quorum shall be six except in any case where the Bye-laws shall otherwise provide.

(2) If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes of the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting, the same shall be adjourned to such time and place as the Standing Committee may appoint.

(3) The President of the Club shall act as chairman at all General Meetings, but in his/her absence the Chairman of the Standing Committee shall take the chair.

(4) Every member present and entitled to vote shall have one vote, and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

(5) No Member shall vote in any matter where he is an interested party.

(6) The revision and alteration of the Bye-laws and Code of Rules may be made at any General Meeting.

(7) A month's notice must be given to the Secretary of any business before it can be discussed at a General Meeting, and the Secretary shall not less than 14 days prior to any General Meeting send out an agenda to every person entitled to attend.

(J) Special Meetings

The Secretary shall, on the requisition in writing of either any three stewards of a Coursing Meeting or of any six persons (being either public coursers who are members of an affiliated Coursing Club or elected members of the Club) stating the business for which it is required, convene a Meeting, known as a Special Meeting, of the Club at such time and place as may be convenient, and at a special meeting nothing but the business (which may include the alteration of the Bye-laws and Code of Rules) for which the Meeting was called may be brought before it.

A Special Meeting may take place within one month of the requisition and within 14 days of the convening of such meeting. When convening the Meeting the Secretary shall send out an agenda to every person entitled to attend.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Bye-law, so much of the Bye-laws as relates to the procedure at and conducting of General Meetings shall apply to Special Meetings.

(K) Standing Committee

The affairs of the Club shall be administered by the Standing Committee, consisting of the President of the Club, the Chairman and Trustees and nine Members elected by secret ballot, three of whom shall retire annually by rotation, and who shall not be eligible for re-election until after the lapse of one year. The Standing Committee may from among any of the Elected Members of the Club co-opt not more than three additional members who shall hold office for such period not exceeding one year as the Standing Committee shall determine. Ordinary Meetings of the Standing Committee shall be held not more than two days prior to the Principal and Spring General Meetings and also other times and places as the Standing Committee shall decide. Except as otherwise provided in these Bye-laws, three members of the Standing Committee shall form a quorum, with full and absolute power to deal with all business under the Bye-laws and Code of Rules. If a quorum is not present within 15 minutes of the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting, those present may co-opt any Elected Member of the Club to serve on the Committee for that meeting. The provisions of paragraph (4) and (5) of Bye-law (I) shall apply to meetings of the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee may appoint sub-committees of Members of the Standing Committee, who may co-opt as members of such Sub-committees persons having particular knowledge of the matter under consideration. A sub-committee may deal with any business of the Standing Committee, other than business arising under Bye-laws (G), (N), and (O).

(L) Officers

(1) The Standing Committee shall appoint Trustees for the Club who shall hold office for as long as they remain members of the Club, unless removed by a resolution of the Standing Committee. The number of Trustees shall be not more than four or less than two and the property of the Club (other than cash) shall be vested in them. They shall deal with the property of the Club as directed by resolution of the Standing Committee (of which an entry in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence) and they shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of the Club property.

(2) The Standing Committee shall appoint, and may dismiss, the Secretary, the Keeper of the Stud Book (who may be the same person as the Secretary), and all other necessary officials and staff, for such periods and upon such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Standing Committee shall think fit, with power to set up and maintain out of the Funds of the Club any Pension Scheme and/or Benevolent Fund for the benefit of persons employed by the Club.

(3) All money and cash shall be under the control of the Treasurer who may delegate to the Secretary such powers as may be necessary for carrying on the routine business of the Club, including the operation of banking accounts. In the event of the death, illness, absence abroad or incapacity of the Treasurer, the Standing Committee may for such period as may be necessary appoint one of their Members to exercise all the Treasurer's powers. Such appointment shall be in writing signed by the Chairman and at least two Members of the Standing Committee other than the Member so appointed.

(4) The Standing Committee shall appoint a courser of repute who will be known as the Senior Stipendiary Steward. The Senior Stipendiary Steward shall attend Standing Committee Meetings and make his report to them when they so require.

(5) The Standing Committee shall appoint Coursing Inspectors annually whose duty will be to inspect coursing grounds prior to a meeting taking place. The Coursing Inspector shall be required to submit to the Senior Stipendiary Steward a report on the standard form, giving his reasons why he considered a meeting should or should not have taken place.

(M) Coursing Meetings

(1) No affiliated Club shall organise or hold a coursing meeting other than in accordance with, or subject to all the Bye-laws and Code of Rules.

(2) No member of a coursing club shall take any official part (without prior permission of the Standing Committee) or run a dog at a coursing meeting unless it be an authorised coursing meeting.

(3) If the dates of any Coursing Meetings shall clash seriously or if there is any proposal to alter the date of any such Coursing Meeting likely to result in serious clashing, and if the Chairman of the Standing Committee shall consider that time is too short to convene a Meeting of the Standing Committee to deal with the matter, such matter may be dealt with by the Chairman and Secretary acting on behalf of the Standing Committee. The decision of the Chairman and Secretary shall have the same effect as a decision of the Standing Committee. Any Coursing Meeting which is unable to commence coursing within the week during which it is scheduled to be run, must not be rearranged without the approval of the Secretary.

(N) Objections and Disputes

(1) Any disputed matter may be referred in writing by any Coursing Club or person or persons interested therein to the Club for its decision, and shall be investigated by the Standing Committee.

(2) The Standing Committee shall give the Secretary all directions necessary for ensuring that all persons concerned in or affected by such disputed matter have notice thereof and of the time and place when the same shall be investigated.

(3) At the hearing of such disputed matter each person concerned in or affected by the same shall be entitled to appear and be heard by himself and of calling evidence. Any person entitled to appear shall be entitled to be represented by a Barrister or Solicitor, or any other person provided the name and capacity of the representative is stated, and that he shall not less than fourteen days before the date appointed for the holding of such hearing notify in writing the Secretary of the Club of his intention to be so represented.

(4) If during the hearing it shall appear that any person concerned in or affected by such disputed matter has not had notice thereof the hearing shall be adjourned to enable such person to attend and be heard and call evidence.

(5) The decision of the Standing Committee upon such disputed matter shall be binding upon every person who has had notice thereof, whether he shall have attended the hearing of it or not, and shall have full force and effect immediately it is announced and until reversed by the Club upon appeal. The Standing Committee may direct that the operation or all or any part of their decision shall, if an appeal is lodged within the time allowed by these Bye-laws, be suspended until the appeal has been heard.

(O) Complaints

(1) The Standing Committee shall inquire into and determine any complaint of discreditable conduct made pursuant to Rule 40 of the Code of Rules, and any complaint that the respective provisions of Rules 41 and 43 have been infringed, and if any such complaint is found to have been proved, to impose such penalty or penalties as may be authorised by the Code of Rules. For the conduct of any such inquiry the quorum shall be five.

(2) Before any such complaint is investigated by the Standing Committee the Secretary shall give notice to any person implicated therein of the nature of the complaint and of the time and place when the same will be investigated, and if any such person is a member of a confederacy the Secretary shall give a similar notice to the other members of such confederacy. Any person who is required to be notified as aforesaid shall be entitled to appear before the Standing Committee on such investigation. If any person implicated appears in pursuance of such notice the Standing Committee shall give him an opportunity of being heard by himself and of calling evidence in his defence. If any other member of such confederacy appears pursuant to such notice the Standing Committee shall give to such other member an opportunity of being heard by himself and showing cause why no order should be made pursuant either to Clause 4 of Rule 40 or to Clause (2) of Rule 43 against any dog registered in the name of the confederacy or of any member thereof.

(3) Any person entitled to appear shall be entitled to be represented by a Barrister or Solicitor, or any other person provided the name and capacity of the representative is stated, and that he shall not less than fourteen days before the date appointed for the holding of such hearing notify in writing the Secretary of the Club of his intention to be so represented.

(4) Any decision of the Standing Committee given under this Bye-law shall have full force and effect immediately it is announced and until reversed by the Club upon appeal. But the Standing Committee may direct that any penalty shall if any appeal is lodged within the time allowed by these Bye-laws, not attach until the appeal has been heard.

(P) Appeals

(1) If any person who, under Bye-laws (N) and (O) is entitled to appear and does appear before the Standing Committee, shall feel himself aggrieved by any decision of the Standing Committee under the last mentioned Bye-laws or under Bye-law (Q), he may appeal against it to the members of the Club at the next General Meeting held not earlier than 45 days after the announcement by the Standing Committee of its decision.

(2) Notice of appeal in writing must be received by the Secretary within 14 days of such announcement.

(3) On any appeal the General Meeting shall re-hear the case, a quorum being three. No member of the Standing Committee who has already adjudicated on the case may be present at or sit on the appeal. The procedure to be observed before the General Meeting shall be the same as before the Standing Committee including the provisions for representation.

(4) The General Meeting may confirm the decision of the Standing Committee or may by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present overrule or vary such decision (including any penalty imposed thereunder). Unless such decision is overruled or varied by the majority aforesaid it shall be deemed to have been confirmed.

(5) The decision of the General Meeting shall have force and effect immediately it is announced and shall be final.

(Q) Costs

(1) The Standing Committee, and, on any appeal, the Club, when announcing its decision on any complaint or disputed matter upon which it has adjudicated, may order how the costs and expenses thereof shall be borne.

(2) Any order made under this Bye-law shall be deemed to be part of the decision aforesaid, with the result that any provision of Bye-laws (N), (O), or (P) applying to such order.

(R) Minutes

(1) The Secretary shall place on record in the minutes of the business of the Club all decisions of the Club made in General or Special Meeting.

(2) The Secretary shall place on record in the Minutes of the business of the Standing Committee all decisions of the Standing Committee.

(3) If any decision relates to any complaint or disputed matter, any penalty imposed or order made as to costs and expenses or otherwise shall also be recorded.

(4) All decisions of and business dealt with by the Standing Committee (other than decisions or business of a trivial or routine nature or salaries or remuneration) shall be communicated to the Club at the next General Meeting. Any member attending a General Meeting shall be entitled to inspect the Standing Committee Minute Book (which shall be available for that purpose at least thirty minutes prior to the time the meeting is due to start) and to require any entry or entries therein to be read out at the meeting.

(5) All decisions of the Standing Committee and the Club under Bye-laws (N), (O), (P), and (Q) shall be communicated to the persons affected thereby unless, in the case of persons who have not submitted to the Bye-laws and Code of Rules, the Standing Committee or the Club shall otherwise direct.

(6) Subject to the preceding paragraph, unless the Club or the Standing Committee so direct no decisions of the Club or the Standing Committee shall be published in the Greyhound Stud Book or communicated to the Press or to any person or body, other than officials of the Club.

(7) Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, the Secretary may communicate any decision to any person connected with Coursing where he shall consider such communication is necessary for the purpose of complying with, or preventing a breach of, the Bye-laws or Code of Rules.

(S) Illegal Practices

(1) The Club will not under any circumstances countenance any of the following practices, namely:-

(a) The use of ground for coursing which is designed to restrict artificially the freedom and liberty of the hares.

(b) The use of ground for coursing where the state of the going or the arrangements on the field hinder the escape of the hare.

(c) The use of ground for coursing of which the hares coursed have insufficient knowledge.

(2) The Standing Committee may, if upon due enquiry it finds that any affiliated club has been guilty of any of the foregoing practices, order that such Club be fined a maximum of (see appendix) and/or expelled from affiliation and disqualified from becoming affiliated for five years.

(3) Neither will the Club countenance:-

(a) The administration to a greyhound for any improper use, drugs, stimulants or obnoxious substances by any method whatsoever.

(T) Registration

Registration of dogs and particulars relating thereto in the Stud Book and the appendix thereto shall take place in accordance with the provision of this rule.

(1) Application for registration shall be made to the Keeper of the Stud Book at the offices of the Club. The Keeper or in his/her absence the assistant Keeper, shall examine and consider each application and, unless registration must be refused pursuant to any of the provisions of this Code of Rules he/she may, subject to any directions of the Standing Committee either accept or reject such application in his/her absolute discretion.

(2) No person or confederacy shall be registered as the owner of any dog unless the interest of such person or confederacy in that dog covers the entire unexpired period of its public running. A copy of any lease affecting any dog must accompany each registration application relating to that dog.

(3)

(a) Every sire must be registered as such annually at a fee of (see appendix).

(b) No sire will be permitted to register more than 14 services and/or draws of semen in any calendar month.

(c) All sires, from which semen is to be drawn for the purposes of cooled and/or frozen storage and shippage, previous to use shall be subject to DNA testing, the procedure to be as directed from time to time by the Standing Committee. All costs of DNA testing are to be borne by the registered owner(s)/keeper of the sire.

(d) Litters conceived by means of artificial insemination of fresh semen will be considered for recording in the Stud Book only if:

(1) the sire was registered as such at the time the insemination took place.

(2) the semen was collected by the registered owner(s)/keeper of the sire in the presence of the breeder or his representative. Both the owners/keeper of the sire and the breeder or his representative will sign personally the mating certificate in the appropriate place.

(3) the semen collected from the sire was not split in order to serve more than one bitch.

(4) at the time the semen was collected from the sire, the sire had not performed the maximum number of services and/or draws of semen permitted in a calendar month.

(e) Litters conceived by means of artificial insemination of semen which has been cooled will be considered for recording in the Stud Book only if:

(1) the sire was registered as such at the time the insemination took place.

(2) the semen was collected by an agent approved either by the National Coursing Club or approved by a registry which is a member of the International Alliance of Greyhound Registries.

(3) the semen collected from the sire was not split in order to serve more than one bitch.

(4) the dam, and one or more of her litter, at the discretion of the Keeper of the Stud Book may be subject to DNA testing, the procedure to be as directed from time to time by the Standing Committee. All costs of DNA testing are to be borne by the breeder.

(f) Litters conceived by means of artificial insemination of semen which has been frozen will be considered for recording in the Stud Book only if:

(1) the sire was registered as such at the time the insemination took place.

(2) the semen was collected by an agent approved either by the National Coursing Club or approved by a registry which is a member of the International Alliance of the Greyhound Registries.

(3) the inseminator is approved by the National Coursing Club.

(4) the dam, and one or more of her litter, at the discretion of the Keeper of the Stud Book may be subject to DNA testing, the procedure to be as directed from time to time by the Standing Committee. All costs of DNA testing are to be borne by the breeder.

(5) the brood bitch is submitted for insemination entirely at the risk of the breeder. The National Coursing Club its officers and servants and the approved inseminator are absolved from any responsibility or liability arising from the insemination of the brood bitch.

The letters AI will be placed in the Stud Book after the registration of each litter conceived by means of artificial insemination.

Collection, Storage, and Shipping of Frozen Semen

All parties involved in the handling of frozen semen shall be approved by the National Coursing Club. Their procedures shall be in accordance with those as approved from time to time by the Standing Committee.

(4)

(a) A certificate noting the date on which mating takes place shall be sent to the Keeper of the Stud Book within fourteen days of such mating together with a fee (see appendix).

(b) Application to register a litter of puppies must be received within six months of whelping and shall show the date of whelping and the names of sire and dam. Applications must be accompanied by a certificate of mating signed by the owner of the sire and a statement showing the colour, sex and number of puppies, which shall be verified by a veterinary surgeon who has inspected the litter WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE DATE OF WHELPING. No litter shall be registered unless the mating certificate has been lodged with the Keeper of the Stud Book. The fee shall be (see appendix). No litter may be registered unless both sire and dam are properly registered, and the sire registered as a stud dog for the period during which mating took place.

(c) Any necessary corrections as to colour shall be made within six months of the date of whelping without fee, or after that time upon payment of (see appendix) for each dog, at the discretion of the Keeper of the Stud Book, who may ask for evidence in support of the application. In the absence of satisfactory support in writing the matter shall be dealt with by the Standing Committee.

(d) Where the owner of the dam is not the person or confederacy applying to register the whelps, the written consent of the owner of the dam to be registered must accompany the application. The person in whose name the litter is registered shall be deemed to be the breeder. For registering a breeder/breeders other than the owner(s) of the dam a fee of (see appendix) is required.

(e) No litter shall be registered if the application is received more than THREE MONTHS from the date of whelping unless special permission shall be given by the Standing Committee. If consent is forthcoming the fee shall be (see appendix) plus an additional fee as determined by the Standing Committee for each additional month after the THREE MONTHS expiry date.

(f) Every litter shall be earmarked in accordance with standards agreed by the Club.

(5) Applications to register the name of a dog must include the month and year of whelping, name of the owner, colour (including detailed markings required on the forms authorised by the Keeper of the Stud Book) sex, and the names of the sire and dam respectively. The name of the dog will not be registered unless the litter of which it was one has been registered. When the applicant is not the breeder the written consent of the breeder must be obtained. The consent of the Standing Committee shall be required to any application to name a dog made more than two years after whelping. If consent is forthcoming the fee shall be (see appendix) plus an additional fee for each month after the two year expiry date. The fees payable on the first naming of a dog shall be (see appendix).

(6) An application to register a change of name of a dog may be made at any time, at a fee of (see appendix).

(7) Upon any transfer of the interest of the owner in any registered dog, the person or confederacy acquiring such interest must apply to be registered as the owner of such dog, giving detailed markings required on the forms authorised by the Keeper of the Stud Book, and the written consent of the registered owner shall accompany the application. But if, when the application is made, the registered owner, or part-owner has died, the consent must be signed by the legal personal representative of the deceased owner or part-owner and the Probate or Letters of Administration produced to the Keeper of the Stud Book for noting by him.

(a) Between date of transfer and the date of the registration thereof, the dog in question shall not run at any Coursing Meeting, unless permitted to do so under either Rule 8, 9, or 13.

(b) For fees for registering a transfer (see appendix).

(8) Any dog registered in a Stud Book included under the International Alliance of Greyhound Registries may be registered in the Stud Book at a fee of (see appendix). Each application to register such a dog shall be accompanied by an Official Identity Card or Certificate bearing the identification markings.

(9) Any application, certificate, consent or other registration document required by this rule, may be signed by the authorised agent of the person or persons required to sign the same provided there has first been lodged with the Keeper of the Stud Book the written authority of the person or persons on whose behalf the authorised agent is to act. Such authority shall cease on the death of any person giving it and if the authorised agent shall become a disqualified person. No authorised agent may delegate his authority. The fee to register an AUTHORISED AGENT shall be (see appendix) per owner annually.

(10) Registration shall not be deemed to have taken place until the appropriate certificate AND OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARD has been issued by the Keeper of the Stud Book.

(11) The registration of dogs shall be made not later than the 31st May for inclusion in the next published edition of the Stud Book.

(12) All registration certificates are issued solely for the purpose of the Club and are not documents of title or evidence of the legal ownership of any dog. Neither the Club nor any of its Officials or Servants shall be liable for the consequences of any error or omission, either in or in respect of the particulars stated thereon.

(U) Names of Owners

(1) Names of confederates must be registered at a fee of (see appendix), for each name on each registration effected in the confederacy.

(2) If any person or confederacy wishes to register and run dogs in an assumed name, such name must be registered at a fee of (see appendix) before any dog can be registered or run in such a name.

(3) If any person whose name is registered for any purpose of the Code of Rules or who holds a licence under Rule 44 shall change his or her name, whether on marriage or otherwise, the new name shall be notified to the Keeper of the Stud Book and (except in the case of persons licensed under Rule 44) a fee of (see appendix) paid. At the same time any registration certificate in the former name may be lodged for rectification, and any licence must be so lodged. All subsequent registrations and licences shall be in the new name.

(V) Names of Dogs

(1) No numerals will be allowed except to avoid duplication of a name already registered in the Irish Stud Book, this to apply only to dogs registered from the Irish Stud Book into the Greyhound Stud Book.

(2) A name once used will not be again available until 10 years have elapsed from the date of registration of that name.

(3) The Keeper of the Stud Book will have a discretion to refuse names held by former Waterloo Cup winners or other celebrated dogs.

(4) If the name of a greyhound appears to the Keeper of the Stud Book to have any advertising connotation he/she shall have power at his/her discretion, either to charge a fee for registration or to require the name to be changed.

(5) A prefix can be registered for a fee (see appendix).

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CODE OF RULES

1. Interpretation of Words and Phrases

(a) The expressions "Authorised Coursing Meeting", "Bye-laws", "The Club", "Code of Rules", "Confederacy", "Coursing Meeting", "General Meeting", "Meeting by private invitation", "month", "Recognised Authority", "The Secretary", and "The Stud Book" shall have the same meaning as in the Bye-laws.

(b) "Dog" means a greyhound of any age and sex. "Joint-nominator" means a member of a confederacy in whose name a dog is running in a stake.

A "Nominator" means the person or confederacy in whose name a dog is running in a stake.

The "Owner" of a dog is the person or confederacy registered as such in the Stud Book. "Part-owner" means a member of a confederacy registered as the owner of a dog, and "part-owned" shall have a corresponding meaning.

A "Public Trainer" is a person who trains for more than one owner.

A "Puppy" is a dog whelped on or after the first of January of the year preceding the year in which the season of running begins.

"Registered" means (unless the context otherwise requires) registered with the Keeper of the Stud Book, and register and registration shall have a corresponding meaning.

A "Sapling" is a dog whelped on or after the 1st of January of the year in which the season of running begins. The "Season" is the period from September 15th to March 10th during which Coursing may take place.

"Stewards" includes (unless the context otherwise requires) the Stewards acting as such at a Meeting whether elected, co-opted or ex-officio.

A "Subscriber" is a person or confederacy who has agreed to subscribe to a stake and nominate a dog or dogs to run therein.

2. Organisation of Coursing Meetings

(1) For any proposed Coursing Meeting a Committee of not less than three shall be formed, who shall appoint a Meeting Secretary and with him/her settle the preliminaries. If the Meeting Secretary is honorary, he/she shall be a member of the committee and a steward ex-officio.

(2) Once the dates of a Coursing Meeting have been announced, they shall not be changed without the Secretary's approval. If at any time Coursing Meetings are found to clash with those of any other Coursing Meeting, the Committee and Stewards (if any) may refer the matter to the Standing Committee. This paragraph shall not affect the power of postponement given by Rule 4.

(3) The Committee and Meeting Secretary may appoint the Judge and Slipper in which case their names shall be announced simultaneously with the announcement of the Coursing Meeting and notified to the Secretary.

(4) The Committee of the Coursing Meeting shall elect Stewards, who shall be Coursers of experience who have signified their intention of being present at the Coursing Meeting. The number of Stewards to be elected shall be at least three and no more than five. The management of the Coursing Meeting shall be in the hands of the Committee and Stewards.

(a) The Committee of the Coursing Meeting shall appoint from a panel submitted by the Club a representative empowered to report to the Senior Stipendiary Steward on the conduct of the meeting (this person to be known as the Coursing Inspector). The name of the Coursing Inspector must appear on the card of running and the Stewards of the meeting informed of this appointment. The Inspector shall receive a complimentary card for each day, which he will mark up and send to the Chief Stipendiary Steward with his report, within three days of the completion of the meeting.

(5) If the Judge and Slipper are not appointed as hereinbefore provided, they shall be elected by the committee of the club concerned and the appointments shall be published at least a fortnight before the Coursing Meeting, and the Secretary notified.

(6) Before a Coursing Meeting the Committee of an Open Meeting, or the members of a Club Meeting shall appoint a Slip Steward who shall not also act as Flag Steward.

(7) The Committee shall appoint (and shall notify the Stewards of such appointment) four "Pickers-up" who throughout the Coursing Meeting shall be stationed two on each side of the coursing ground and as near as is practicable to where the courses are likely to end. If the hare be brought down the "Pickers-up" shall without delay go to the hare and satisfy themselves that it is dead, and if it is not dead they shall kill it forthwith. Each picker-up shall wear a clearly-visible yellow armband.

(8) Winnings shall not be paid earlier than 14 days or later than 30 days after the conclusion of a Coursing Meeting.

(9) If a Judge or Slipper is prevented from attending or finishing a Coursing Meeting from whatsoever cause the Committee and Stewards shall decide what is to be done, with power, if they think fit, to appoint a substitute or in the case of the Judge, to appoint a Committee of three to decide each course by a majority vote.

3. Meeting Stewards

(1) Should five elected Stewards not be present at the coursing meeting, any elected Stewards that are present may co-opt up to that number. If no elected Stewards are present, the Committee may co-opt up to that number. The Stewards and all other officials shall have in their possession at all meetings a current edition of the Rule Book.

(2) The Stewards shall have full control over Judge, Slipper, Slip Steward and Flag Steward, and those in charge of dogs. They shall have power to suspend any of these persons, such suspension not to extend beyond the Standing Committee.

(3) The Stewards shall have power to alter the announced order of running, and shall control any interference with the running of the hare or dogs.

(4) The Stewards shall have power at their discretion to enforce the withdrawal of any entry through lameness, injury, or for any other reasonable cause as they shall determine. The reason for such action to be notified to the owner or authorised agent immediately.

(5) The Stewards shall at any time have power to order any examination and/or test and the taking of samples for test and/or analysis of any greyhound, which is due to take part in, or has taken part in, any trial, course or stake at a Coursing Meeting. Providing always that the taking of any sample from any greyhound shall be in the presence of either the trainer, owner, or their representative and one steward of the meeting. Any sample or samples taken shall be despatched to such analyst as the Standing Committee shall direct. The result of any test or analysis of any sample or samples taken from a greyhound shall be communicated to the Secretary of the National Coursing Club.

(6) The Stewards alone shall decide any objection or disputed question by a majority, but any person aggrieved by such decision may appeal to the Standing Committee. No Steward may vote in any case where he or she is an interested party in the actual matter before the stewards or has a dog which may be awarded a stake or receive a bye as a result of the Stewards' decision.

(7) The Stewards shall be responsible for ensuring that the provisions of Rules 2, (7) and 21 are meticulously complied with.

4. Postponement of Meeting

(1) Any Coursing Meeting may, if a majority of the Committee and the Stewards consider the weather unfit for coursing, be postponed from day to day.

(2) If the running does not commence within the current week all nominations may be void and the meeting abandoned (unless it shall be stated otherwise in the conditions either of the Coursing Meeting, or of a stake or prize thereat) and the expenses may be paid by the subscribers in proportion to the value of nominations taken by each. If the running has commenced it shall be resumed as soon as weather permits, or the meeting shall be abandoned.

(3) In Produce Stakes the original acceptances shall continue binding if the Coursing Meeting is held later in the season and a new draw shall be made.

5. Drugs and Stimulants. Improper use of.

(1) Where a greyhound has been the subject of an examination under Rule 3 and the result of an analysis of any sample of its tissues, body fluid or excreta is positive, the incident shall be reported to the Club and shall be the subject of an enquiry by the Standing Committee as soon as practicable.

(2) A result of an analysis of any tissue, excreta or body fluid is positive where the analysis shows the presence in the sample of any prohibited substance.

(3) At that enquiry the trainer of the greyhound in question be he a licensed or private trainer or owner/trainer shall be fined not less than œ500 and/or at the discretion of the Standing Committee may be declared a disqualified person under the provisions of Rule 40. However, the Standing Committee may waive the fine or any part thereof if the trainer shall satisfy them that the substance was not administered by him or by any other person intentionally, and that he had taken all reasonable precautions to avoid a breach of this Rule.

(4) At that enquiry any person found to have administered or to have attempted to administer, or allowed or caused to be administered or connived at administration to a greyhound of a prohibited substance with intention to affect the coursing performance of that greyhound, or with the knowledge of its coursing performance could be affected, shall be guilty of a breach of the Rules, and shall be fined not less than œ500 and/or at the discretion of the Standing Committee may be declared a disqualified person under the provisions of Rule 40.

(5) Where a greyhound has been the subject of an examination under Rule 3 and the result of an analysis of any sample of its tissue, body fluid or excreta is positive, the greyhound shall be disqualified for the event in question, and may at the discretion of the Standing Committee be disqualified for such time and for such events subsequent to the event in question, as they shall determine. When a greyhound is so disqualified the destination of any trophy and prize money shall be decided at the discretion of the Standing Committee.

(6) The Standing Committee, when announcing its decision on any matter upon which it has adjudicated under Rule 5, may order how the costs and expenses thereof shall be borne.

(7) Trainers or owner/trainers are responsible for the security of their greyhounds at all times.

(8)

(a) If any person shall feel himself aggrieved by any decision of the Standing Committee under Rule (5), he may appeal against it to the Standing Committee at the next Standing Committee meeting.

(b) Notice of Appeal in writing must be received by the Secretary within 14 days of the decision appealed against being taken.

(c) On any Appeal, the Standing Committee shall review the case, a quorum being three. No member of the Standing Committee who has already adjudicated on the case may be present at or sit on the Appeal.

(d) At an Appeal the Standing Committee may by a majority confirm the original decision or overrule it or vary such decision including any penalty imposed thereunder. Unless such decision is overruled or varied by a majority, it shall be deemed to have been confirmed.

Prohibited Substances

The Standing Committee of the National Coursing Club give notice that the following are prohibited substances under the Rules of Coursing:

Substances acting on the central nervous system

Substances acting on the autonomic nervous system

Substances acting on the cardiovascular system

Substances affecting the gastro-intestinal function

Substances affecting the immune system and its response

Antibiotics, synthetic and anti-viral substances

Antihistamines

Anti-malarials

Anti-pyretics, analgesic and anti-inflammatory substances

Diuretics

Local anaesthetics

Muscle relaxants

Respiratory stimulants

Sex hormones, anabolic agents and corticosteroids

Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts

Substances affecting blood coagulation

Cytotoxic substances

6. Meeting Secretary

(1) The Meeting Secretary shall:-

(a) Have in his/her possession at a Coursing Meeting an up to date copy of the Bye-laws and Rules of the National Coursing Club and a copy of the current edition of the Greyhound Stud Book and Official Coursing Calendar.

(b) Be responsible for the entry money of all dogs.

(c) Declare on or before the evening preceding the last day's running how the prizes are to be divided.

(d) If called upon to do so by any six subscribers give a statement of expenses within 14 days either of the conclusion of the Coursing Meeting or of being called upon, whichever is the later.

(2) Send to the Secretary of the National Coursing Club:-

(a) A schedule of all meetings prior to the meeting taking place.

(b) A marked card of the results within three days of the completion of the meeting.

(c) Shall have available for purchase up-to-date copies of the Bye-laws and Code of Rules of the National Coursing Club.

7. Over-Subscribed Stakes

Once a stake has been advertised for a certain number of dogs, that number must not, under any circumstances, be increased. Should the stake be over-subscribed another division may be added, but the original stake must remain as advertised.

8. Description of Entry

(1) Every Nominator must, before the time fixed for closing the entry, name his dog and give the names of the sire and dam and sex and colour and month of whelping. Every dog must be entered and run in its registered name. The same greyhound shall not be entered for more than one stake up to and including the time of the draw, at any one meeting, except as a reserve.

(2) A dog which has never won a course at any recognised meeting in any country where coursing is governed by the rules of a club recognised by the Club shall be considered to be a Maiden. A dog which has won only one course, in any one stake, is a one-course winner, and a dog which has won only two courses, in any one stake, is a two-course winner. In the context of this rule a bye counts as a course won.

9. Disqualification of Dogs not registered

(1) Any dog which runs at a Coursing Meeting and which does not appear in the Stud Book as the property of the Nominator shall be disqualified unless either:-

(a) There is produced, upon the request of a Steward or the Meeting Secretary, a registration certificate showing the dog as the property of the Nominator, or:

(b) Permission to run the dog is given by the Keeper of the Stud Book before the dog runs, or:

(c) Rule 12 has been complied with.

(2) Any dog running under Rule 12 which does not appear in the Stud Book as the property of the owner declared under paragraph (2) of that Rule shall be disqualified unless:-

(a) There is produced, at the request of a Steward or the Meeting Secretary, a registration certificate showing the dog as the property of the declared owner, or

(b) Permission to run the dog is given by the Keeper of the Stud Book before the dog runs at the Coursing Meeting.

10. Payment of Entry Money

(1) All money due for each nomination taken must be paid before the time of closing the entry, whether the stakes fill or not, and although, from insufficient description or any other cause, the dog may be disqualified. No entry shall be valid unless such money has been so paid.

(2) For Produce and other Stakes where a forfeit is payable, no declaration is necessary, the non-payment of the remainder of the entry money at time fixed for that purpose being considered a declaration of forfeit.

11. Alteration of Name

(1) The first time a dog is entered for a stake after its registered name has been changed, and each time afterwards during that season, the change of name must (unless the dog has never run at a Coursing Meeting in its former name) be notified at the time of entry to the Meeting Secretary, who shall place on the Coursing Card the old and new names.

(2) Where any dog appears in a stud book maintained by a Recognised Authority by a name different from its registered name, the Meeting Secretary shall, at the time such dog is entered for any stake, be informed of the different name, which shall be added in brackets on the Coursing Card and the initials of the authority shown.

(3) Failure to notify the Meeting Secretary shall result in the disqualification of the dog.

12. Suffix of Ns. (Nominates)

(1) If the nominator of any dog is not the owner, notice of that fact together with the owner's name shall be given to the Meeting Secretary at the time of entry, and the suffix Ns shall appear on the coursing card after the name of the Nominator, provided that nothing in this rule shall permit the running of any dog contrary to Bye-law T (6).

(2) Failure to comply with this rule shall result in the disqualification of the dog concerned.

13. Death of a Subscriber or Nominator

(1) If a person (not being a member of a confederacy) who has subscribed to or taken nominations in a stake shall die before the draw, his nomination shall, unless the exceptions stated below apply, be void, whether the entries have been made or not, in which case any money received for forfeits or stakes shall be returned, less the proportion of expenses if the amount has been advertised and any nomination rendered vacant has not been filled.

The exceptions are:-

(a) If the deceased subscriber parted prior to his death with any nomination and any dog not his property has been entered and paid for:

(b) If the deceased nominator prior to his death disposed of any dog entered in Produce Stakes, with its engagements and with its forfeits paid and the new owner is entitled to run such dog in those Stakes.

(c) If it is the executors' wish the entry be allowed to stand. In which case it shall be shown on the card as The Exors of ... etc.

(2) Except in cases where paragraph (1) applies the death of such person as aforesaid shall not affect his nominations.

(3) The death of any member of a confederacy shall not affect the confederacy's nominations. The surviving member or members of the confederacy shall be liable to pay all entry monies and forfeits.

(4) The Meeting Secretary shall, so soon as any winnings become payable, pay the same together with any money returnable under this rule, as follows:-

(a) In the case of a deceased individual, to the person entitled, less any expenses incurred by the Meeting Secretary in satisfying himself as to such person.

(b) In the case of a confederacy, to the surviving confederate or confederates. The legal personal representatives of the deceased confederates shall have no legal rights whatsoever against the Meeting Secretary or any other person except the surviving confederate or confederates in respect of such winnings or any share thereof.

14. The Draw

(1) The place, time and date of the draw shall be printed on the schedules of the meeting and any nominator is entitled to be present.

(2) Immediately before the dogs are drawn at any Meeting, and before nine o'clock on every subsequent evening during the continuance of such Meeting, the time and place of putting the first brace of dogs into the slips on the following morning shall be declared.

(3) Following the completion of the Draw, the Meeting Committee/Secretary may apply a list of reserve entries for the meeting to be listed on the official programme, clearly stated against each reserve:

Breeding, colour, sex and age (all-aged or puppy). If during the time between the completion of the Draw and the commencement of a stake a greyhound be withdrawn, then, at the discretion of the Meeting Committee/Secretary, the entry can be declared void and substituted by a nominated reserve entry, subject to that a greyhound from the same kennel or same ownership may only be substituted provided there is no other dog available and on production of a satisfactory veterinary certificate or the approval of the Meeting Stewards. The withdrawn entry will forfeit its entry fee. All reserve dogs shall be shown on the card in order of priority.

For the purposes of this Rule a stake shall be deemed to have commenced when the first brace of greyhounds is placed in the slips.

15. Guarding

(1) When two or more nominations in a stake are taken in the same name, the dogs, if the property of the same owner, shall be guarded throughout unless in any round this shall be impossible owing to the number of dogs in the same nomination and ownership.

(2) Guarding is always to be arranged, if possible, by bringing up dogs from below to meet those which are to be guarded.

(3) Guarding shall not deprive any dog of a natural bye to which it may at any time be entitled.

(4) Any dog whose position is altered by reason of guarding or a bye, shall return to its original position in the next round, unless guarding prevents it.

(5) Should one of the guarded dogs be withdrawn, then the dog whom he would have met shall run a bye.

16. Byes

(1) In a stake with an odd number of entries a natural bye shall be given to the lowest available dog in each round, but no dog shall run a second such bye in any stake, unless it is unavoidable.

(2) When a dog is entitled to a bye, his nominator may run any dog he pleases or if he so wishes a solo bye may be run. Provided that in puppy stakes a puppy must be used. If the stewards are satisfied that no puppy is available an older dog may be used.

(3) No dog shall run a bye earlier than his position in the stake entitles him to do, nor shall he without permission of the Stewards run his bye later.

(4) The slip and the course in a bye shall be the same as in a course in which a decision is required. The Judge shall decide whether enough has been done to constitute a course, or whether it must be run again, and in the latter case the Judge shall give the order.

(5) If at the commencement of any round in a stake, one dog in each course of that round has a bye, those byes shall not be run, but the dogs shall take their places for the next round as if the byes had been run.

(6) Except in the last mentioned circumstances, a bye must be run before a dog can take its place in the next round.

(7) Byes, or participation in winnings through being entitled to byes, shall count as courses won.

(8) The withdrawal or disqualification of a dog from a stake shall not deprive any other dog of a bye, accidental or natural, to which it would have been entitled had the withdrawn or disqualified dog remained in the stake.

(9) Two byes may be run together provided paragraph (3) is observed and with permission of the owners.

17. Slip Steward

(1) The duties of a Slip Steward shall be:-

(a) To call the dogs to slips as required.

(b) To see that the right dogs, both in courses and byes, are brought to slips in their proper turn, at the right time and wearing the right collars.

(c) To report to the Stewards, without delay, any dog that does not come to the slips correctly, and any act on the part of the Slipper, a nominator, or his representatives which the Slip Steward considers should be brought to their knowledge.

(d) To note the time of completion of a course when signalled by the Judge.

(2) Any nominator or his representative or a joint nominator refusing to comply with the directions of the Slip Steward, or using abusive, insulting or threatening language towards him shall at once be reported to the Stewards and by them to the Standing Committee.

18. Taking Dogs to the Slips

(1) Every dog must be brought to slips in its proper turn without delay under a penalty (see appendix). If absent for more than ten minutes (AFTER BEING CALLED BY THE SLIP STEWARD OR HIS ASSISTANT), its opponent shall be entitled to claim the course, subject to the discretion of the Stewards, and shall in that case run a bye. If both dogs are absent then both dogs shall be disqualified.

(2) No dog shall be put into slips until thirty minutes after its course in the previous round, without the consent of the nominator and permission of the Stewards. The time to count from the time the Judge signalled the result of that course.

(3) The owner (or confederacy) and trainer are jointly answerable for a dog being put into slips at the right time, and on the right side, and in the right collar under a penalty of (see appendix B).

(4) Every dog brought to the slips shall wear a collar not less than 2 inches wide, and coloured red for the dog on the left hand side and white for the dog on the right hand side of the slips. The upper dog on the card shall be placed on the left hand side of the slips, and the lower dog on the right hand side.

(5) If a wrong dog be run by mistake it shall be disqualified and the other dog awarded the course, whether it be found out immediately or later and Rule 37 applied.

19. Control of Dogs

(1) The control of all matters connected with slipping dogs, or permitting them to be placed in slips, shall rest with the Stewards.

(2) An owner, part-owner, nominator, joint-nominator, trainer or attendant, after putting his dog in the slips may go forward to catch it on the same side as his dog is in the slips, or on the same side as his/her opponent if they so agree so that no inconvenience is caused to the Slipper and so that there is no interference with the dogs or the line of run of the hare. No person shall holloa the dogs on while running. The Stewards may impose a fine not exceeding (see appendix) on any person infringing this Rule.

(3) Any dog found to be beyond control in the slips may, by order of the Stewards, be taken out of the slips and disqualified. A dog disqualified more than once is not eligible to compete in a stake until it has been slipped in a trial course at a public meeting to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

(4) No other person than the Slipper shall be in the shy, except with permission of the Stewards and neither shall dogs be in the shy other than those in the charge of the Slipper.

20. The Slip

(1) The slip shall be made at the sole discretion of the Slipper. The length of the slip must necessarily vary with the nature of the ground, and should not be less than 80 yards. The Slipper shall not slip the dogs if, in his opinion, the hare is in a weak condition or "balled up".

(2) No dog shall be hand slipped except in a solo bye at the discretion of the Slipper.

(3) If one dogs gets out of the slips, the Slipper shall let the other dog go immediately, the Judge to decide the course as set out in Rule 25 (1)(a).

(4) Once the dogs are slipped they shall not be touched or handled by their owner, trainer, or any other person until the Judge has given a decision, except in a case where a dog has suffered severe injury and is unable to continue the course, such an injury to be verified by a Veterinary Surgeon on the field or the Stewards of the meeting. Infringement of this Rule shall result in the disqualification of the dog concerned, in the stake being run.

21. Duty to Dispatch Hare

(1) Notwithstanding that this Code of Rules provides for the appointment of four "Pickers-up" at every Coursing Meeting it shall be the duty of any person (including any person who has gone forward in accordance with Rule 19 (2) but excluding the Judge) who is in the vicinity of any hare brought down, before taking any other action, to satisfy himself that the hare is dead and if it is not dead to kill it forthwith.

(2) If the Standing Committee are satisfied that there has been any breach by any person of the foregoing provisions of this Rule they may find such person guilty of:

(a) Discreditable conduct within the meaning of Rule 40 of this Code of Rules, or

(b) Impose a fine not exceeding (see appendix).

(3) Notwithstanding that meetings by private invitation are exempt from the provisions of these Rules every person who has submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the Club and to the Bye-laws and Code of Rules is expected at such private meetings to observe the spirit of this Rule and if at any time the Standing Committee, upon due investigation under the provisions of Bye-law (O) is satisfied that the spirit of this Rule has not been complied with, and that measures to ensure the immediate dispatch of the hare have not been taken at any meeting by private invitation, any such person or persons concerned may be found guilty of discreditable conduct within the meaning of Rule 40.

22. Decision of the Judge

(1) The Judge shall be subject to any general rules which may be established by the Club for his guidance.

(2) He shall on the termination of each course immediately deliver his decision, either by displaying a red or white handkerchief corresponding to the collar on the winner, or when the colours of the dogs are more easily distinguishable than their collars, he may call the colour of the winning dog aloud.

(3) He shall not recall or reverse his decision, on any pretext whatever, after it has been declared; but no decision shall be delivered until the Judge is perfectly satisfied that the course is absolutely terminated.

23. Principles of Judging

The Judge shall decide all courses upon the one uniform principle that the dog which scores the greater number of points during the continuance of the course is to be declared the winner. The principle is to be carried out by estimating the value of the work done by each dog, as seen by the Judge, upon a balance of points according to the scale hereafter laid down, from which also are to be deducted certain specified allowances and penalties.

24. Points of the Course

(1) The points of the course are:-

(a) Speed - Which shall be estimated as one, two or three points according to the degree of superiority shown. (See definition below 2(a).)

(b) The Go-By - Two points, or if gained on the outer circle, three points.

(c) The Turn - One point.

(d) The Wrench - Half a point.

(e) The Kill - Not more than one point, in proportion to the degree of merit displayed in that kill, which may be of no value.

(f) The Trip - One point.

(2) In estimating the value of speed to the hare the Judge must take into account the several forms in which it may be displayed, viz.:-

(a) Where in the run-up a clear lead is gained by one of the dogs, in which case, one, two or three points may be given, according to the length of lead, apart from the score for a turn or a wrench. In awarding these points the Judge shall take into consideration the merit of a lead obtained by a dog which has lost ground from the start, either from being unsighted, or which has had to run the outer circle.

(b) Where one dog leads the other so long as the hare runs straight, but loses the lead from her bending round decidedly in favour of the slower dog of her own accord, in which case the dog shall score one point for the speed shown, and the other dog score one point for the first turn, but under no circumstances is speed without subsequent work to be allowed to decide a course.

(3) If a dog, after gaining the first six points, still keeps possession of the hare by superior speed, he shall have double the prescribed allowance for the subsequent points made before his opponent begins to score.

(4) Definition of Points

(a) The Go-By is where a dog starts a clear length behind his opponent and yet passes him in a straight run, and gets a clear length before him and turns or wrenches or trips or kills the hare.

(b) The Turn is where the hare is brought round at not less than a right angle from her previous line.

(c) The Wrench is where the hare is bent from her line at less than a right angle; but where she only leaves her line to suit herself, and not from the dog pressing her, nothing is to be allowed.

(d) The Merit of a Kill must be estimated according to whether a dog by his own superior dash and skill, bears the hare; whether he picks her up through any accidental circumstances favouring him, or whether she is turned into his mouth, as it were, by the other dog.

(e) The Trip, or unsuccessful effort to kill, is where the hare is thrown off her legs, or where a dog flecks her but cannot hold her.

25. Allowances for Accidents

The following allowances shall be made for accidents to a dog during a course; but in every case they shall only be deducted from the other dog's score:-

(a) After a fair slip no allowance shall be made for a dog being unsighted, but the Judge may decide the course or declare the course to be undecided or no-course as he may think fit.

(b) Where a hare bears very decidedly in favour of one of the dogs after the first or subsequent turns, in which case the next point shall not be scored by the dog unduly favoured, or only half his points allowed according to circumstances.

(c) No dog shall receive any allowance for a fall or an accident, with the exception of when pressing his hare, in which case his opponent shall not count the next point made.

26. Coursing Penalties

(1) Where a dog, from his own defect, refuses to follow the hare at which he is slipped, he shall lose the course.

(2) Where a dog wilfully stands still in a course, or departs from directly pursuing the hare, no points subsequently made by him shall be scored; and if the points made by him up to that time be just equal to those made by his opponent in the whole course, he shall thereby lose the course; but where one or both dogs stop with the hare in view, through inability to continue the course, it shall be decided according to the number of points gained by each dog during the whole course.

(3) If a dog refuses to fence where the other fences, any points subsequently made by him are not to be scored; but if he does his best to fence, and is foiled by sticking in a meuse, the course shall end there. When the points are equal, the superior fencer shall win the course.

27. Second Hare

If a second hare be started during a course, and one of the dogs follow her, the course shall end there. If the points at this stage be equal, the dog that continues to course the original hare shall be awarded the course.

28. Dogs Getting Loose

(1) Any person allowing a dog or dogs to get loose during a meeting, may at the discretion of the Stewards be fined a sum not exceeding (see appendix) for each loose dog.

(2) If a loose dog joins in the course which is being run and is owned or part-owned by the nominator or joint-nominator of one of the dogs engaged therein, the other dog shall be deemed the winner unless such nominator or joint-nominator can satisfy the Stewards that it had not been possible to get the loose dog taken up after running its own course.

(3) The course is not to be considered as necessarily ended when the third dog joins in.

29. Irish Registered Dogs

A greyhound registered in the Irish Stud Book should be allowed to run in a stake which is completed in ONE DAY for a fee of œ1.00. This fee is paid to the Club Secretary at the time of entry and will be forwarded to the Keeper of the Greyhound Stud Book. The greyhound, before being allowed to run again, must be fully registered in the usual way and the balance of fees (see Bye-law T(8) and appendix) forwarded to the Keeper.

30. No-Course

(1) A "no-course" is when by accident or by the shortness of the course the dogs are not tried together and if one be then withdrawn the other must run a bye, unless the Judge, on being appealed to, shall decide that it has done enough work to merit exemption.

(2) An "undecided course" is where the Judge considers the merits of the dogs equal, and if either is then withdrawn, the other cannot be required to run a bye; but the nominators must at the same time declare which dog remains in. (See Rule 32).

(3) The Judge shall signify the distinction between a "no-course" by waving his right arm and keeping his hand below the level of the shoulder, and an "undecided" by taking off his hat.

(4) After an "undecided" or "no-course", if the dogs, before being taken up, get on to another or the same hare, the Judge must follow, and shall decide in favour of one if he considers that there has been a sufficient trial to justify his doing so.

(5) A "no-course" or an "undecided" if claimed on behalf of both dogs may be run off immediately before the next brace are put into the slips; or in the case of a "no-course", if so ordered by the Judge. Otherwise it shall be run again after the two next courses, unless it stand over till the next morning, when it shall be the first course run; if it is the last course of the day, fifteen minutes shall be allowed after both dogs are taken up.

31. Explanation by Judge

The Judge shall not render an explanation of any decision except to the Stewards, and then only upon a request, made through them BEFORE the third succeeding course, of the nominator, or his representative, of either dog engaged in the course.

32. Withdrawal of a Dog

(1) If a dog be withdrawn from any stake on the field its nominator, or someone having his authority, must at once give notice to the Meeting Secretary or Flag or Slip Steward. If the dog belongs to any of these officials, the notice must be given to one of the others.

(2) When after a "no-course" or an "undecided" one of the dogs has been withdrawn and the dogs are again, by mistake, put into the slips and run a course, the withdrawal shall stand, whatever the Judge's decision may be, and all bets on the course shall be void.

33. Impugning the Judge

The Judge must notify the Stewards if he feels he has been impugned. The Stewards, in accordance with Rule 3 (2), should act at once by imposing a fine of œ25 or disqualification for a period as seen fit by the Stewards.

34. Stakes Not Run Out

(1) When two dogs remain in for the deciding course, the stakes shall be considered divided if:-

(a) the dogs are running in the name of the same nominator: or

(b) the owner, part-owner, nominator, or joint-nominator of one dog induces the nominator of the other to withdraw it for any payment or consideration: but if a dog be withdrawn without any payment or consideration, or from lameness, or from anything clearly affecting its chance of winning and the Stewards are satisfied as to the facts of the case they may declare the other dog the winner.

(2) The same rule shall apply with all necessary modifications when more than two dogs remain in at the end of a stake which is not run out.

(3) Where there is a compulsory division, the share of each dog remaining in the stake shall be according to the number of courses won.

(4) When a dog is entitled to a bye:-

(a) in the case of a compulsory division the bye will not count as a course unless the next round has started; and

(b) in the case of an agreed division the dog must receive the benefit of the bye and pass into the next round.

(5) In the case of any division between the three or more dogs of which more than one are running in the name of the same nominator, the total amount to be received by such nominator in the division shall be the aggregate of the shares attributable to each dog nominated.

(6) The terms of any agreement to divide winnings and the amount of any money or the nature of the consideration given or promised to induce the withdrawal of any dog must be declared to the Meeting Secretary forthwith.

35. Identification of Greyhounds

A greyhound's registration documents, i.e., Official Identity Card (or Identification Papers, e.g. registrations in accordance with Bye-law T (8) ) must be available for inspection by the Slip Steward or his appointed assistant. If, upon request, the credentials are not produced a fine of œ5 will be imposed and the entry withdrawn.

(This Rule to be printed on all meeting schedules.)

36. Objections

(1) Any objection to a dog must be made to a Steward before the winnings are paid over. A deposit of (see appendix) shall be lodged with the Stewards or the Meeting Secretary by the objector which shall be returnable unless forfeited under this rule.

(2) The Stewards shall consider such objection before the dog objected to runs again at that Coursing Meeting, and (subject to paragraph (9) of this Rule) they may thereupon adjudicate upon it, but if in any doubt or if paragraph (9) of this Rule applies they shall adjourn it to the Standing Committee, in which case the dog objected to shall run under protest during the rest of the Coursing Meeting.

If the Stewards themselves adjudicate, they may, if they consider the objection frivolous, forfeit all or part of the objector's deposit. If they uphold the objection they shall impose such penalty as this Code of Rules requires and also may forfeit all or any part of the Nominator's deposit.

(3) If the Stewards adjourn the objection, the objector shall within 14 days give notice to the Secretary of the objection and of its adjournment. The Standing Committee shall then hear the objection in accordance with Bye-law (N).

(4) Except where paragraph (9) of this Rule applies, failure of the objector to comply with the preceding paragraph shall constitute a withdrawal of the objection, and the Stewards may then forfeit all or part of his deposit.

(5) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the Stewards may within 14 days appeal to the Standing Committee.

(6) The Standing Committee shall, whether the Stewards have already adjudicated or not, have full power to deal with any objections brought before them and to dispose of the deposits and any forfeit fees as they shall think fit.

(7) If a decision of the Stewards upholding an objection and disqualifying a dog is reversed by the Standing Committee on appeal, that Committee may make such order as it thinks fit regarding the disposal of any winnings, prize or piece of plate.

(8) Pending the final decision or withdrawal of any objection, the winnings of any dog objected to shall be retained by the Stewards. Final decision occurs when either the objection has been decided by the Club in General Meeting, or at an earlier stage when any time limit for appealing has expired.

(9) The Stewards shall have no power to adjudicate on an objection alleging or involving an offence under Rule 43, but must adjourn such objection to the Standing Committee and themselves inform the Secretary of the objection.

37. Penalties on Disqualification of a Dog

(1) If any dog shall be disqualified pursuant to any of the provisions of this Code of Rules:-

(a) Such dog shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and shall not participate further in any stake at the Coursing Meeting at which it is disqualified.

(b) The nominator shall forfeit all entry money, and any winnings, piece of plate, or prize, or share thereof respectively.

(c) Any winnings shall be forfeit to the Committee of the Coursing Meeting.

(d) The destination of any piece of plate or prize shall be decided at the discretion of the Standing Committee, either by that Committee or by the Committee of the Coursing Meeting at which the same was competed for.

(2) The Meeting Secretary shall report to the Secretary the name of any dog which has been disqualified by the Stewards. The Secretary may publish in the Press the name of any dog disqualified together with the Coursing Meeting at which the disqualification took place and may take any other appropriate action to notify any person or persons interested in such disqualification.

38. Defaulters

(1) No person who

(a) becomes a disqualified person under Rule 39 or 40 of this Code of Rules, or

(b) is a defaulter for any entry money, forfeit, money due under any arrangement for a division of winnings, penalty regularly imposed for the infraction of any rule by the Stewards of any Coursing Meeting, or subscription due to any Coursing Club entitled to have representatives in the Club, or

(c) after the expiration of 14 days either from the announcement of any decision or order of the Club or Standing Committee (whether for the payment of money or otherwise), or, if the operation of such decision or order is postponed, from the date when the same becomes operative, has failed to comply with such decision or order

shall be allowed to enter or run a dog in his own name, or cause or suffer the same to be entered in the name of another, to attend any General, Special or Coursing Meeting or the draw, dinner or calling over of the Coursing Card at any Meeting.

(2) The penalties imposed by this Rule shall be in addition to any other penalty to which a person may be liable under this Code of Rules.

39. Reciprocal Disqualification

(1) Any person

(a) who shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Club, or

(b) who shall have submitted to the Bye-laws and this Code of Rules and who shall become a disqualified person under the Rules either of the Jockey Club or the National Greyhound Racing Club, may at the discretion of the Standing Committee, so long as he is a disqualified person under the Rules of either of the two last mentioned clubs, be a disqualified person under this Code of Rules and the same consequences shall follow as if he had been declared a disqualified person under Rule 40 and the Standing Committee had made the order mentioned in Clause (4) of that Rule except that there shall be no right of appeal to the Club in General Meeting.

(2) This rule shall not apply to a person disqualified under Rule 174(i) of the Rules of the National Greyhound Racing Club unless that Club shall in writing especially request that this rule shall so apply.

40. Disqualification

(1) Any person who is proved to the satisfaction of the Standing Committee to have been guilty of any fraudulent or discreditable conduct in connection with coursing or with any application for registration made to the Keeper of the Stud Book in pursuance of this Code of Rules, shall be declared by the Standing Committee to be a "disqualified person" for such period as the Standing Committee shall think fit or until such time as the Standing Committee shall otherwise decide.

(2) A disqualified person shall be incapable of:-

(a) entering or running any dog in his own or any other name;

(b) registering any dog, litter of puppies or sire in his own or any other name;

(c) being a member of any confederacy, and until he has ceased to be a member of such confederacy, no dog belonging to such confederacy shall be capable of entering for or running at any Coursing Meeting;

(d) acting as a steward or official at any Coursing Meeting;

(e) acting as the authorised agent of any person or confederacy for any purpose of this Code of Rules.

(3) During such time as any dog is under the care, training, management or superintendence of a disqualified person, such dog shall not be qualified to be entered for or run at any Coursing Meeting.

(4) The Standing Committee, when declaring a person to be a disqualified person, may in addition declare that any dog of which he is either owner or part-owner shall be deemed to be an unregistered dog, in which event at no time thereafter shall such dog be qualified to be entered or run at any Coursing Meeting, and, notwithstanding anything contained in this Code of Rules, shall any litter which is the progeny of such unregistered dog be registered.

(5) A disqualified person may, if he has submitted to the Bye-laws and Code of Rules and the jurisdiction of the Club, be reported to the Jockey Club and the National Greyhound Racing Club with the recommendation that he should be dealt with under their Rules.

(6) Any penalty which a disqualified person shall suffer under this rule shall be in addition to any penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, to which he may be liable under any other rule.

(7) Any person who attends, takes part in, runs a dog at, organises or is in any way concerned with, a meeting by private invitation, which is in the opinion of the Standing Committee conducted in such a way as to be detrimental to the interests of Coursing, may be found guilty of discreditable conduct in connection with Coursing.

(8) When any person has committed any breach of the Rules the Standing Committee shall have power to impose upon such person a fine, the sum of which shall be at the Committee's discretion. If such fine as determined by the Committee is not paid within 30 days, Rule 40 (Disqualification) may be enforced.

41. Welfare of the Hare

The Coursing Inspector shall ensure that

(1) No ground is used for coursing that restricts the freedom and liberty of the hares.

(2) The four "pickers-up" are present and fully and at all times comply with Rule 2 (7). If the four pickers-up are not present, the Coursing Inspector shall inform the Stewards and request the immediate suspension of coursing until all four are in place.

(3) The slipper fully and at all times complies with Rule 20 (1), observing the due law and ensuring that the hares are in fit condition to be coursed.

(4) The Stewards of the Meeting ensure that neither the state of the going nor the arrangements on the field in any way hinder the escape of the hare.

(5) All persons present fully and at all times comply with Rule 21, Duty to Dispatch Hare.

(6) The hares coursed show sufficient knowledge of the ground.

The Coursing Inspector shall report to the Senior Stipendiary Steward any breach or non-observance of this Rule, which may be dealt with by the Standing Committee either under Bye-Law (S) or Rule 40 of this Code or both, at its discretion.

42. Jurisdiction of National Coursing Club

Every person who is or was the owner or part-owner of a dog registered under Bye-law (T) or who is or was licensed under Rule 44 and every person entering or running a dog or having the care, training, maintenance or superintendence of any dog or taking any part in any Coursing Meeting under the Bye-laws and Code of Rules or making any application for registration to the Keeper of the Stud Book under this Code of Rules shall be in possession of a current edition of the Rule Book and to have read the Bye-laws and Code of Rules, and to submit himself to the same respectively and to the jurisdiction of the Club and to consent to the publication to the Jockey Club, National Greyhound Racing Club, the Press and otherwise of any matter or decision under the Bye-laws and Code of Rules.

43. Judge or Slipper Interested

(1) If any Judge or Slipper shall have any interest in the winnings of any dog running at a Coursing Meeting at which such Judge or Slipper is officiating such dog shall be disqualified unless the Nominator can satisfy the Standing Committee that such interest was without his cognisance.

(2) If it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Standing Committee that any person being the Nominator or owner or a member of any confederacy which is the nominator or owner of any dog, has given, offered, lent or promised to give or lend money or anything of value to, or has guaranteed or agreed to guarantee the bank account of, or has in any other way stood or agreed to stand surety for the Judge or Slipper, the Standing Committee may in addition to or in lieu of any other penalty applicable under the Code of Rules, order that during such period as the Standing Committee shall think fit such person, or any confederacy of which he is a member or the other member or members of such confederacy, shall not be allowed to run any dog at any authorised Coursing Meeting in the name of such person, or confederacy or in the name of any other person or confederacy.

44. Licensing of Officials

(1) Every Judge and Slipper shall hold a permit as such from the Club.

(2) Every Public Trainer shall also require a licence, and shall be responsible for the conduct of his representatives, assistants and employees. The annual fee for such licence shall be (see appendix) plus the amount of the annual subscription to the official Coursing Calendar. He shall also be in possession of a copy of the current edition of the Rules of the National Coursing Club.

(3) The Standing Committee shall have the power to grant, refuse, or suspend such licences, as that Committee shall think fit.

(4) The nominators of dogs not trained by a public trainer shall be held responsible for the conduct of the persons in charge of their dogs at any Coursing Meeting.

45. Close Season

No Coursing Meeting shall take place between March 11th and September 14th in any year, both dates inclusive.

46. Bets

(1) All bets upon an undecided course shall stand, unless one of the dogs be withdrawn.

(2) All bets upon a dog running farther than another in the stake shall stand whatever accident shall happen.

(3) Bets upon any course not run are off.

(4) Long odds bets, made after the draw, and at any stage during the stake, including postponements, shall stand, provided the dog backed had not been beaten or withdrawn before the time the bet was made.

(5) Long odds bets made on nominations which, upon the postponement of a Coursing Meeting under Rule 4, are not void,

(a) shall hold good if made before the first draw, and

(b) shall be void if made after any draw except the draw under which the stake is run.

47. Interference with a Course

No other person shall interfere, by shouting, waving or in any other way with the running of the hare or the dogs, or by seeking to influence or divert the hare in any way, or by holloaing a dog on.

If the Standing Committee are satisfied that there has been any breach, by any person, of the foregoing provisions of the Rule, they may find such persons guilty of discreditable conduct within the meaning of Rule 40 of this Book of Rules.

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APPENDIX A

REGISTRATION FEES as from 1st June 1987

Bye-law E(2)

Affiliation fee, to include the Greyhound Stud

Book and Coursing Calendar £50

Bye-law T(3)

Registration of a Stud Dog annually 1st January -

31st December £20

Bye-law T(4)(a)

Registration of a mating within 14 days £5

additional fines thereafter of £10 for each month

(or part month) over the 14 day limit.

Bye-law T(4)(b)

Registration of a litter within one month of

the date of whelping £8

thereafter up to three months of the date of whelping £20

Bye-law T(4)(d)

Authorisation of a Breeder, each application £10

Bye-law T(4)(c)

Change of colour £1

Bye-law T(5)

Registration of Naming to include issue of Official Identity Card

For greyhounds registered up to one year of age £10

For greyhounds registered up to two years of age £17

For greyhounds registered over two years of age £32

(plus additional fines if permission to register is granted by the Standing Committee).

Bye-law T(6)

Change of a greyhound's name £15

Bye-law T(7)

Transfer of ownership

Within 28 days of change of ownership £10

Thereafter up to six months £15

After six months £20

Bye-law T(8)

Transfers from Irish Stud Book or International Alliance £10

Bye-law T(9)

Registering an Authorised Agent, per owner annually

1st January - 31st December £10

Bye-law U(1) Partnerships

Partnerships (in addition to the registration fee) £4

(2) Assumed name £10

(3) Change of owner's name £1

Bye-law V

(4) Advertising At Keeper's discretion

(5) Prefix (for a period of five years) £25

(6) Company name (annually 1st January

- 31st December) £25

Duplicate Official Identity Card (at Keeper's

discretion) £10

Duplicate certificates £5

Extended or Export Pedigrees (from) £5

Miscellaneous search fees (from) £5

APPENDIX B

Bye-law S (2)

Rule 5 (3) Drugs not less than £500

Rule 18 (1) Taking dogs to slips late £5

(2) Wrong collar £10

Rule 19 (2) Interference with course £10

Rule 28 (1) Loose dog £10

Rule 33 Impugning the Judge £25

Rule 36 (1) Objections £10

Rule 40 (7) not exceeding £500

Rule 44 (2) Public trainer £2

INDEX TO BYE-LAWS AND RULES

Page Rule/

Bye-law

Abandoned meetings 23 4

Absent from slips 32 18

Absence of Judge 22 2
Absence of Slipper 22 2

Accidents 37 25

Advertising 19 V

Affiliation 3 E

Alteration of name 28 11

Appeals 10 P

Artificial Insemination 13 T

Bets 48 46

Bye-Laws 5 I

Byes 31 16

Chairman 5 H

Close season 48 45

Collars 33 18

Committee, Coursing 20 2

Committee, Standing 6 K

Complaints 9 O

Composition of NCC 3 C

Confederates 18 U

Control of dogs 33 19

Costs 11 Q

Dates of meetings 8 M

Death of subscriber 28 13

Decision of Judge 35 22

Defaulters 44 38

Dispatch of hare 34 21

Disputes 9 N

Disqualification of dog 24 5

27 9

Disqualification of owner 45 40

Divisions 40 34

Dogs not registered 27 9

Draw 30 14

Drugs 23 5

Page Rule/

Bye-law

Earmarking 17 T

Elected members 4 F

Entries 26 8

Entry money 27 10

Explanation by Judge 40 31

General Meetings 5 H

Guarding 30 15

Hand slipping 34 20

Holloaing dogs on 33 19

Identification of greyhounds 41 35

IGSB 39 29

Illegal practices 12 S

Impugning the Judge 40 33

Inspectors, Coursing 8 L

Interested persons 47 43

Interference with a course 49 47

Judge 48 44

Judging, principles 35 23

Jurisdiction of NCC 47 42

Lame dogs, withdrawal of 22 3

Late at slips 32 18

Licensing of officials 48 44

Litters, registration of 13 T

Loose dog 38 28

Maiden 27 8

Meetings, Coursing 8 M

Meetings, General 5 H

Meetings, Special 6 J

Meetings, Standing Committee 7 K

Membership, loss of 4 G

Minutes 11 R

Mistakes 33 18

Names, change of 17 T

Names of dogs 19 V

Page Rule/

Bye-law

Names of owners 18 U

No course 39 30

N.S. (nominates) 28 12

Numerals 19 V

Objections 42 36

Order of running 22 3

Organisation, Meeting 20 2

Oversubscribed stakes 26 7

Payment of entry money 27 10

Penalties 38 26

Pickers up 21 2

Points of course 36 24

Postponement 23 4

Prefix 19 V

President 5 H

Prize Money 22 2

Procedure at General Meetings 5 I

Public Trainer 48 44

Reciprocal disqualification 44 39

Registration of dogs 13 T

Representatives 3 D

Rule Book 47 42

Second hare 38 27

Secretaries, club, duties of 26 6

Secretary 7 L

Shy 34 19

Slipper 34 20

Slipping 34 20

Slips, dogs getting out of 34 20

Slips, taking dogs to 32 18

Stewards, Meeting 22 3

Stewards, Slip 32 17

Stewards, Stipendiary 8 L

Stimulants 23 5

Stud Book 1 A

Subscription 4 E

Page Rule/

Bye-law

Timing (Slip Steward) 32 17

Transfer of ownership 17 T

Treasurer 8 L

Trustee 7 L

Undecided 39 30

Unregistered dogs 27 9

Unsighted 37 25

Weather unfit 23 4

Welfare of the Hare 46 41

Withdrawals 40 32

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