Former AKC Board Chair William Feeney Addresses Sprung Firing

I previously joined in a statement with Hon. David Merriam and Alan Kalter, two other former Chairman of the AKC Board of Directors, condemning the manner in which the current Board of Directors dismissed Dennis Sprung. I want to add my individual view of the matter.

The Board of Directors must have understood its decision to end Dennis Sprung’s tenure as President of the AKC by asking him to retire early—soft words for a firing—would be viewed as staggering. Inexplicably, the Board did not issue a statement on its extraordinary action. Those of us in the sport are left surmising and wanting for an explanation. The Board is not giving one, but staying mum, some reportedly claiming the matter was the subject of executive session and must be kept confidential.

Executive session is for discussion of confidential issues, in other words, issues intended to be kept private for the good of all involved. The act of firing Sprung was not a discussion, but a resulting fact that could never remain private and confidential. He is a high-profile figure whose absence at One Park Avenue would attract a lot of attention. Asserting confidentiality is absurd in the circumstances—Sprung’s firing let the cat out of the bag. Indeed, only days later it was a topic of discussion at the Garden, and has since spread worldwide.

It was a mere five years ago that the Board of Directors was celebrating Sprung’s 30-year anniversary with the AKC, and lauding his successful leadership of the organization. Sprung is a good leader. The AKC enjoys continuing success in no small part due to the reciprocal admiration between him and the other officers and employees of the AKC, and the resulting good morale which is vital to the institution and its goals.

So, I am shocked that Sprung’s employment was terminated. I cannot believe his performance has since been found so profoundly egregious that the Board was left with no option but to conclude that his continuing leadership was not in the best interests of the AKC. Yet, I and others are left waiting for such an explanation. Silence is not protecting anyone. It is, however, allowing insinuation to the detriment of all involved.

William Feeney
former Chairman, AKC Board of Directors

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Posted by Liz on Feb 18 2025. Filed under Breaking News, Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.