Hallo guys, I do not know if you heard but, there was a championship of mali's in France.. numerous dogs were hurt to the point that they ran off the field on three legs, broken ribs .. well just look for yourself. This web side is one of the representatives of Czech republic in France.. his dog "Octravius Malidaj" ended up pretty hurt..
I am sorry that I do not have time to translate the whole article Mr Macha wrote about this whole fiasco and total embarasment of this event.
http://www.octaviusmalidaj.cz/ this is the web site,
Klick on "video" and klick on "se soutezi" then klick on "MS BO 2007 v Le Touquet (obrana - "povedené" zákroky)"

.. I wanted to cry when I saw what I saw.. there MUST be an article somewhere in English.. Just look and see for yourselves what they let happen to all those top BOM in France these dog fought for being the best and ended up totally hurt..

This gentleman is in top trainers for years and he wanted to let the whole world know that this shouldn't have to happen. This is sport and it should stay sport, Now PETA like organizations are asking to stop IPO, Shutz because of lack of organization and Heplers lack of practice.
The Article states that one of the helpers came up to the Judge and said that he is scared to catch more dogs.. He was told to get back on the field because the rest of the helpers were worst.. YUCK..
Let the world know that something needs to be done about this.. look and decide foryourselves
Have a good day

This bodes poorly for the sport.

If Fetz and I were entered and I saw that multiple dogs ahead of mine were being injured, I'd pull in a heartbeart, no matter what - my dog comes first, always.


Bad, bad, bad.

That is pretty disturbing that they would continue to hold a high trial like that with helpers that oviously did not belong on the field.

The link to the web site pretty much sums it all up with the Mali at the Vet's office on the table being fitted for a cast. Why would anyone stay after seeing that kind of fiasco taking place?

That is WAY SAD!

I have a question, and bear with me as this is new for me....

Why would the helpers be "scared" to catch more dogs? Is it because they are not well trained helpers? Or are the dogs just that "fierce"? Or is it because of all the injuries and they do not want to be the one that causes more? Or ALL of the above?

 Quote: Art Lavely

Why would anyone stay after seeing that kind of fiasco taking place?

SERIOUSLY!! One dog getting injured could have just been a one-off bad accident, but you'd think after the second and third dogs were injured that someone would just call it all off - there was obviously something not right.

I admit, I'm just learning about this sport so I can't comment on what exactly was being done wrong, but those poor dogs... their heart was in it 100% even after they sustained broken bones!! They deserve so much better... what a sorry setback for those involved after years of dedicated training and preparation.

~Natalya

Hi Guys, When I saw the masacer I thought the exact same thing: why did not they scratch .. well it was the world championship.. These were the best dogs in the WORLD competing. I would scratch too. Sometimes it is hard to understand and I do not have the answer.
From what I understood, the helper just was not ready for such nice fast and MALI dogs. Lack of experience I would think.
There was no vet on the field, no doctor on the field.. the owner of the dog had to go and litteraly throw a fit to get medical for his dog.. over all the whole event just was not prepared properly and they .. screwed up .. sorry for my language, but I cried when I viewed the video. I just could not believe it.

I watched one of the videos and I can't tell exactly where the dog got hurt. It looks early on though and progressively got worse until it became obvious the dog was having a problem. The video I'm talking about is the one where the dog's back leg came up hurting. At 1.48 I can tell there is a slight limp already. Then when he's called off the guy in the blind later it looks like it's agitating him. Does anyone else see this. I kind of wonder if this particular dog had a pre existing condition that got exasperated.

Martina; I too cried when I saw this video. It is my understanding 8 dogs were injured, one was a career ending injury and another one had to be destroyed after suffering a broken breast bone & 2 broken legs. Of course, these are things I have only read on various message boards, so I'm not sure if these are facts. It seems as if something isn't adding up right, or all the information is perhaps a little skewed. I know you are very busy, but if you have a chance I know I would not be the only one who would appreciate hearing the whole story of what really happened. I am finding it hard to believe the helper was inexperienced at a world class event, I'm not questioning your information, I'm just really confused.

Basicaly Mr. Macha is discribing the whole situation, He starts his article with discribing the trill of being the best and dreams come true. Supposely already the firs day when they showed the work of the helpers before the trial, the dog got stepped on so badly till it cried. He also states that it was pretty bad to watch but they thought that the helper will get better with more experince with the dogs. He also wrote that the participants did not know till the last minute where, what terrain nor who will do the tracking IPO 3 someone elses scent. Usualy participants know at least the terrain and place where they track (not this year).
He also says in his article that after seing the last two helpers they hoped that they would be replaced by others (better and more experienced) helpers. It did not happen. The helpers had bad body coordination, could not "swing" nor "set" the dogs, totaly lack of experience.
One participant Wolfgang Smidt refused to repeat "curage test" because right before that the helper smack himself on the ground with his dog on the sleeve. Wolfgang got 63 points and Judge gave him all the points even after the refusal. Mr Macha stated that That was strange and very weird decision from the judge but "whatever" Mr Wolfgang got 93 points without finishing..
After that the helper did not want to continue in the trial but Judge Hary Arcon told him he has to cause the rest of the helpers are worse (Czech team had this info from the German team)
Than AIKO came: fast very strong female.. helper could not handle this type of dogs so he gave her the "Knee" (you could see that in video that girl was hurt, info says, 2 broken ribs, messed up back and injured lower back.)
After that they continued like nothing happened. Than the representativ from Finland came, did not finish due to injuries. Some stepped on paws were not a big deal(just a remark).
Also couple of time the helper made it impossible for some dogs get a bite.
Then new helper came with an announcement that the fist one was injured. A lot of people wellcomed this but after a while were dissapointed even more.Mr Macha thought about pulling out his dog but the rules did not allowed that, he was part of a team and Octavius "Oscar" was in top condition and good score could bring them closer to victory.Well the damge was seen on the video and result on the picture. They had no vet on side, just a phone # and they were told to call themselves. After nagging the vet came, just barely touched the dog and Mr Macha was told that x-rays ar not necessary and there is not a clinic that is open on Sundays anyway. His dog did not get the proper medical attention till they arriver in Czech Republic and had a Vet waiting for the dog to get to the clinic.(the vet that examined his dog did it even though it was after closing hours. After some time the dog had extesive injuriescan't translate properly so forgive me) basicaly this dog might never work again because the whole leg is pretty messed up.
After that he is basically questioning the whole situation, the helper, decisins of the Judge, lack of preparation and the fact that this should never happen in any way and definitelly not in top trials.
He also states that the participants should be able to pull the dogs when they feel the dogs health and well being is in danger. They should give the handlers the right to judge the situation and make certain decisions if they feel wrong decisions are made.
This is just a bit run down of the article Mr. Macha wrote. I tried to kinda shorten it and not take away any info.
I am glad you could not understand what was said on the camera when the dogs were hurt.. the language tey used said it all..
Hope I did not twisted anything not change anything crucial in the article.
Sorry for typoos and spelling mistakes I just got bitten by a dog today and I am writing with one hand )

No I did not see it, the dog tracked, did OB and I really do not think that was injured before that.. these guys are in top condition and if the dog is not physicaly able to do this they would never attent any top trials. These guys went through a lot of training and tirals and "try outs" before they are selected to represent the country, Sport like IPO is well admired and trained under extremely strict rules in Czech rep. I do not believe the dog had pe-existing condition.
I am not saying thatyou are not right, I just disagree with you bacause I have been around these top representatives and thy really do make sure the dogs are in great heath.