CODE OF ETHICS
DEFINITIONS




Complainant refers to the NABBA Member registering a complaint
Respondent refers to the NABBA Member whom the complaint has been made
Member refers to a person whose membership with NABBA is paid and in good standing
Non Member refers to a person who is not a member of NABBA or a member not in
good standing with NABBA.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES


Cruel & Inhumane Treatment means and includes, but is not limited to, one or more of
the following:
1. Bite Work of any type or by any name (except by trained law enforcement agency
for law enforcement work)
2. Blood Sport to include but not limited to fighting, hog hunting, and the such
3. Using inhumane techniques, equipment or methods in the breeding, training or
exhibiting of Boerboels
4. The standard by which conduct or treatment will be measured to determine if it
rises to the level of misconduct in that which a reasonable person, informed and
experienced in general accepted Boerboel breeding and exhibition procedures
would determine to be cruel, abusive and inhumane.
Misconduct means and includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts
by a NABBA Member (a) making any misrepresentation or perpetrating a fraud,
requirement or regulation of NABBA, including the breeding, showing, registration,
purchase or sale of Boerboels or with respect to the submission of data or other
information to NABBA or any programs which may be developed from time to time; (b)
violating any rules of NABBA as such rules are adopted and amended from time to time
(c) violating any Bylaws of NABBA as such Bylaws are adopted from time to time.
Specifically, but without limiting the foregoing, no person shall:
1. Cross Breeding the Boerboel with any breed other than a Boerboel
2. Furnish false information to NABBA
3. Issue, sell, exchange, give away or receive, or offer false or fraudulent certificate,
representing the same to be genuine official certificate issued by NABBA
4. Represent as a registered Boerboel any Boerboel other than the Boerboel for which
said certificate was issued
5. Conspire, cooperate or contribute with another person or persons to violate NABBA
Bylaws
6. Detriment to the interest of NABBA, its programs, policies, objectives and
harmonious relationship of its members.
7. Engage in any form of cruel or inhumane treatment of Boerboels; with respect to
member/exhibitor conduct, fail to treat appraisers, judges and show officials with
courtesy and respect
8. Direct any abusive, threatening or obscene conduct toward appraisers, judges, show
officials, NABBA staff, or members
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to research and collect information regarding any
alleged complaint or inquiry submitted against a NABBA Member.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
1. A member in good standing with NABBA shall have the right to make a complaint to
the Executive Committee with respect to any member, alleging that such member
has engaged in misconduct
2. A member in good standing with NABBA shall have the right to make a complaint to
the Executive Committee with respect to any Non Member, alleging that such
person has engaged in Cruel and Inhumane or criminal activity with regard to the
Boerboel breed.
3. The Complainant shall submit two (2) written copies of the complaint to the NABBA
office along with $50.00 to cover expenses of research and collection of information.
One copy will be submitted to the Executive Committee and one copy to the Ethics
Committee Chairman.
4. No complaint will be considered by the Executive Committee which does not set
forth a plain statement or allegation of facts on which the allegation of Misconduct
is based.
5. Such complaints may be received and considered strictly at the discretion of the
Executive Committee.
6. In the event the Executive Committee finds a complaint to have merit, it shall
require the Ethics Committee to further investigate any properly filed complaint.
INVESTIGATION OF MISCONDUCT
1. The Executive Committee is the forum within NABBA which initially receives
evidence of alleged misconduct. A member may be disciplined under proof
necessary to establish a rule violation in that would lead a reasonable person to
believe the matter alleged in the notice is established by credible evidence admitted
before the Executive Committee
2. An investigation of any misconduct shall be undertaken by the Ethics Committee.
3. The Ethics Committee may request written, oral and physical evidence from relevant
individuals or entities, including the member against whom the complaint has been
made (the Respondent).
4. The Respondent must be given fourteen (14) days’ notice to respond to the written
complaint made against him/her. Such notice shall be deemed to have been timely
and effectively given if sent to the Respondent’s address last known to NABBA via
certified or registered mail, or by email, ensuring delivery of no less than fourteen
(14) calendar days.
5. If such notice is provided and the Respondent shall fail to make an oral or written
statement, the Executive Committee may suspend the membership privileges of
such a Respondent until such time as the Respondent complies with the provisions
of this section.
6. At the conclusion of the investigation provided hereunder, the Ethics Committee
shall submit all of the evidence gathered during the investigation to the Executive
Committee for consideration. The information shall include any and all information
included as part of the initial complaint and any and all information collected during
the course of the investigation process. This information shall be provided in its
entirety.
7. Should the Executive Committee determine that the factual allegations made in the
complaint constitute misconduct; the Executive Committee shall review with the
Board of Directors for a decision as to disciplinary action of the Respondent. Any
disciplinary action will require 2/3 votes of the Board of Directors.
8. Should the Executive Committee determine that the factual allegations made in the
complaint constitute Cruel or Inhumane Treatment, (whether member or nonmember), all information collected shall be presented to the appropriate Law
Authority and the Humane Society for further action.
9. The Respondent has the right to appear in person before the Board of Directors.
10. All decisions of this Board of Directors under this rule are final and not subject to
appeal.
CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Any and all complaints received shall be confidential
2. Ethics Committee shall investigate in a reasonable and impartial manner
3. Ethics Committee shall collect and research in a professional behavior
Anyone communicating (in any form) with a NABBA Member or non-member outside the
Executive or Ethics Committee on a complaint received, information collected, or the outcome
of the investigation, is in violation of the rules and will be subject to disciplinary action. As part
of NABBA we must uphold the integrity of NABBA and its members.