Attachment 2 - NSW MPC Program Canine Supply Protocol..pdf

Enclosure (1)

NSW MPC Program Canine Supply Protocol – Enclosure 1

The Contractor shall deliver canines meeting the minimum requirements outlined in the paragraphs below to the Government.

Evaluation format:

• Canines shall be given at least 48 hours in the NSW MPC kennels prior to performance of this evaluation protocol.

• The performance evaluation shall be performed NLT 14 days after delivery.

• A NSW Canine Trainer shall handle the canine for performance evaluation by the Government.

• Medical evaluation shall be performed within 21 days of arrival.

• NSW Veterinary Staff shall perform the medical evaluation.

• Acceptance shall occur after both the performance and medical evaluation.

• Canines that do not meet or are inconsistent in meeting any of the evaluation criteria below may not be accepted.

Canines shall meet the following physical characteristics:

• Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, and/or crosses of such breeds

• Between the ages of 10 and 36 months

• Male and female canines are acceptable

• Any neuter status is acceptable

• Any color typical for the breed shall be acceptable

Canines shall be evaluated on the following performances:

• Sociability o Behavior around people or other dogs without aggression, fear, or shyness o Ability to be muzzled o Panting not due to heat or exercise

• Environmental o Slick floors o Dark areas o Tight areas o Steps - open faced o Vehicles o Gunfire o Water

• Detection o Long ball throw o Distractions o Hunt (indoor and outdoor) o Possessiveness o Perseverance

• Bite Work o Bite suit indoors

Runaway – passive Runaway – dark room Courage test o Muzzle indoors Passive Runaway o Stake out – decoy with no equipment

Canine medical evaluation process:

• Medical evaluation shall occur after completion of the performance evaluation

• The canine shall be evaluated radiographically according to the following process:

Elbow (lateral and anterior/palmar) Hips/pelvis (lateral and ventrodorsal) Thorax and Abdomen (lateral and ventral dorsal); Any other radiographs examining veterinarian deems necessary.

• The NSW Veterinary Staff shall conduct a physical examination, and canines shall be evaluated on the following medical requirements:

o Canine shall be in excellent health with no acute or chronic disease or condition and shall be medically able to enter training at time of evaluation.

o Canine shall display normal mobility at a walk and run. Canine shall be disqualified for gait abnormalities, which could affect the canine’s ability to perform normal NSW MPC duties.

o Skin and coat shall be healthy in appearance, displaying no evidence of severe, non-resolving or intractable otitis external or dermatitis, allergies, infections, injuries or marked external parasite infestation (e.g., mange, fleas, etc.). A matted, unthrifty coat of hair may not be grounds for disqualification but will raise concern about the canine’s general health and possibility of underlying systemic disease.

o Canine shall have normal dentition and dental occlusion, not overshot or undershot jaws. All four canine teeth must be present and shall not be weakened by notching, enamel hyperplasia or abnormal, excessive wear. They shall not have more than 1/3 inch of the tip missing or have pulp cavity exposed. Oral infection or excessive periodontal disease may be grounds for disqualifying a canine. Broken teeth or excessively worn teeth may be disqualifying as well. Broken teeth may be repaired at the Contractor’s expense.

o Heart sounds, rate and rhythm shall be normal (e.g., no murmurs, arrhythmia, etc.). In general, the cardiovascular and respiratory system shall be normal at rest and upon exercise. The canine shall be free of any upper airway disease, including but not limited to excessive upper airway noise (stridor or stertor) at rest or at work due to physical or functional airway obstruction.

o Any condition of the bones, joints, soft tissue, or muscles that might hamper or restrict the normal performance of duty shall be grounds for disqualification. Examples include:

Unhealed fractures and healed fractures resulting in significant bone or joint conformation changes or lameness.

Ligament, damage, osteoarthritis, etc., of the limb joints.

Previous musculoskeletal injury, which has or may lead to degenerative joint disease or conformational abnormality, to include angular limb deformities.

Hip and elbow dysplasia.

o Any defect in the vertebrae or spinal column shall be grounds for disqualification. Examples include:

Significant ventral or lateral spondylosis between vertebrae, to include the lumbosacral junction.

Transitional or malformed vertebrae of the caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction, or sacrum.

Asymmetric pelvic attachment.

o Any defect in the nervous system, to include the basic senses of vision, hearing and sense of smell, is disqualifying. Examples include, but are not limited to opacities of the cornea, eyelid deformities, cataracts, chronic superficial keratitis (pannus), retinal degeneration, chronic otitis, acute or chronic rhinitis/sinusitis and spinal disease.

o Canine shall be free of heartworms (dirofilariasis). The presence of heartworm infection shall be determined by using the heartworm antigen test. A negative heartworm concentration test (filtration of Knott’s) is not sufficient evidence to declare the canine heartworm-free.

o Infection with intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, etc.) may not be disqualifying, depending on the level of infection and the overall condition of the animal. Presence of intestinal parasites is, however, an indication of poor care and will raise concern about the canine’s general health and facility quality and hygiene.

o Presence of fleas, ticks, or lice may not be disqualifying, depending on the amount of infestation, the degree of associated skin disease, and the overall condition of the canine. Presence of external parasites is, however, an indication of poor care and will raise concern about the canine’s general health.

o Canine shall have been vaccinated within the previous 12 months for rabies, canine distemper, canine adenovirus (TYPE 2), Bordetella, parainfluenza, parvovirus and leptospirosis. A vaccination certificate with individual canine identification (name, tattoo, and brand or microchip number) shall be provided. This facilitates health certificate preparation if the canine is to be returned to the Contractor for disqualifying reasons.

o Canine shall be socialized to medical examinations. Canines that cannot be properly examined due to poor socialization shall be rejected. Rejected canines can be re-submitted after behavior has been modified to allow for complete medical examination. The only exception is if a NSW Canine Trainer is able to control the canine for examination.

o Any congenital or conformational abnormality is disqualifying if the defect requires long-term medical treatment or results in an expected shortened working life of the canine. Cryptorchidism is not disqualifying unless the retained testicle results in medical complications not treatable by simple orchidectomy. A juvenile vulva resulting in urine scalding is disqualifying.

• Blood, urine, and fecal samples shall be taken to determine the presence of acute or chronic disease processes that may have long-term medical care implications for the canine. If further evaluation is warranted, tests may be completed at the discretion of the NSW Veterinary Staff, or the canine be deemed unacceptable for purchase.

• Additional medical testing may be completed at the request of the NSW Veterinary Staff to include but not limited to, additional blood work tests, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. The Government shall be responsible for any reasonable costs associated with any additional testing that needs to be performed in addition to the routine testing and radiographic evaluation. The NSW Veterinary Staff shall discuss these additional tests with the Contractor prior to performing them.

• During the comprehensive examination, the NSW Veterinary Staff may use an injectable sedation to help facilitate joint manipulation and radiographic technique. During the sedated examination, the NSW Veterinary Staff shall monitor all canine vital signs.

• The NSW Veterinary Staff shall be the final authority to deem the canine as ‘medically qualified for purchase’ by NSW. This examination does not negate or void any existing warranty offered by the Contractor.

Warranty Policy The Government shall be able to return the canine to the Contractor for the following conditions and within the associated timeframes. The Contractor shall supply a replacement canine within 30 days of return of the original canine. The replacement canine shall be evaluated according to this protocol and shall be covered by the full timeframe of the warranty below.

• Workability (6 months) – any uncorrectable behavior that has developed or has been discovered that was not detected during the initial evaluation.

• Medical (12 months) – any genetic condition that has developed or has been discovered that was not detected during the initial evaluation.

Shipping Costs All costs for initial delivery, return, and replacement shipping are the Contractor’s responsibility.