Trouble Across The Pond

By Amy Fernandez

As we know, things haven’t been going too great over at AKC lately. Not much to be done about that, but I’m here to get your mind off it. And what better remedy for that than a nice big scandal-totally unrelated to our current situation.

And they got a good one brewing over at that staid bastion of tradition-The Kennel Club. In case you’re not too familiar with dog club biz across the pond, the Kennel Club truly is an exclusive private club. Yes, AKC often seems that way, but in reality its political structure is essentially democratic. The thing is, the Kennel Club is not required to answer to anyone. It’s under no obligation to explain its policies and decisions. Basically, like it or lump it.

So, getting to the big news. As noted, information isn’t flying freely. But we can safely say that it centers on the abrupt resignation of Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko, who has basically been the face of the organization for 21 years. Daughter of former Crufts chairman Mike Stockman, Kisko has been a familiar media presence at Crufts for years, and is possibly equally well-known for her devotion to the Siberian Husky. She is the sort of appealing personality that this sport really needs these days. So, this wasn’t your typical resignation.

The thing is, nothing happens fast at the Kennel Club… ever. I haven’t been there a lot, but based on my little glimpse, every aspect of the operation is guided by rigid protocol and formality. So, nobody just up and quits. It’s especially strange considering Kisko’s very public persona.

The Kennel Club has characteristically refused to discuss it and Britain’s tabloid press has likewise not been hindered by that minor technicality.

Despite or maybe because of this lack of official comment, media speculation is rampant. The Daily Mail and the Telegraph suggest that Kisko’s sudden departure was triggered by an untoward racist comment during a committee meeting sometime in August. But (unnamed) sources went on to speculate that the problem runs much deeper, insinuating that she was forced out of the organization by ongoing conflict with CFO Kevin McGuirk. That tidbit came via a subsequent, anonymous whistleblower complaint alleging that McGuirk “has created an atmosphere of tyrannical fear among staff and anyone who opposed or questioned his bullying and abusive manner has been either disciplined or dismissed.” That letter sent to each KC board member also wound up in the hands of several newspaper editors. In comparison to AKC, the Kennel Club is a tiny organization, with maybe 200 employees. No secret is safe in that environment.

The Kennel Club did confirm that McGuirk will face charges of racism from a current employee at a staff tribunal scheduled for November. But it’s unlikely that this delightful affair will end there.

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Posted by admin on Oct 21 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.