Question of the Week

Karen Werfield

Chardon, Ohio

I would hope that AKC provides total transparency as to why this was done and especially why prior to the new board being voted in. This has orchestrated nothing but ugly rumors and innuendo, and the current board has made themselves horrible examples of how a board should act.

Are honesty and integrity no longer valued within the ranks of the American Kennel Club?  

Jo Lynn

McDonald, Pennsylvania

On the subject of Dennis and his sudden exit from the AKC, I can only comment on the nature of the announcement. It appears there still hasn't been one. There is only grapevine chatter, especially on the delegate email lists and Facebook. 

It's natural for us to want to know why this decision was made, but it could be detrimental to the organization to give details. 

There could be pending litigation on either side. This is pure speculation on my part. 

I feel that the AKC lost its chance to make a short announcement before rumors began to circulate. AKC has a good marketing department. It could have asked them to prepare a news brief before he was let go so that an announcement from the AKC could have been made simultaneously.

The March delegate meeting in Newark could be interesting.

David C. Merriam  

Bonsall, California

I am shocked and dismayed at the board's bumbling action to fire Dennis. 
Dennis has been a loyal and competent employee of AKC for more than 30 years.
On his departure he deserves the appreciation and respect due him, certainly not the action of the present board. I told Dennis he should consult an employment attorney. If I was 50 years younger and a member of the New York bar, I would relish the opportunity to represent him.

Pam Schaar

Warrenton, Virginia

Mr. Sprung has been running the AKC through several monumental events with no real sign the AKC has remained current. He would have better served the dog community had he retired decades ago. It's too bad he had to be fired to leave, but that is the world we are living in. Like the federal government, many areas of the AKC need to be examined for efficiency.

Pam Mandeville

Somerset, New Jersey

Some of us have seen THIS movie before.

Yet again, the board has shot itself in their collective foot with their lack of transparency and desire to "leak" information. It is particularly silly in a situation where terminating an officer a month before the election can only lead to speculation and questions. Both Dennis and the fancy deserve the respect that would be shown by an explanation. This is a business bringing in $100 million annually and worth around a quarter of a billion dollars ... being run by amateurs who can't manage to get out of their own way. This illustrates that it's long past time to overhaul the entire governing structure of the AKC.
 

Lynn Kiaer

Argyle, New York

Talk about a loaded question! I assume that there have been some private and very serious discussions in the works for some time, and that the time came when a majority of the board became convinced that a change was needed. I am interested to see what happens next. 

Desi Murphy

Monroe, New York

Words cannot express my feelings. I cannot remember when something has saddened me this much. If they wanted to replace Dennis, it should not have been done the way it was done. It put a HUGE damper on the highlighted weekend of Westminster. Personally I was awarded Judge of the Year and yet it became a very sad weekend for me. It was a terrible blow to the sport the way it was done.

Terri Erickson 

Lake Tapps, Washington

Shocked, disappointed, sad! He was the champion of purebred dogs and a supporter of Juniors!

The AKC National Championship has evolved in so many positive ways.

The big question is WHY? And why on the eve of the World’s Best Dog Show?

Dr. Greg Paveza

Fort Pierce, Florida

It’s hard to have a reaction to something without having the facts. In the not-for-profit world, when there is no visible scandal, many decisions to let a CEO go are unexpected. I’ve been in organizations where this has happened. While it is disconcerting, one usually has to wait until the dust settles and an explanation is finally provided.

Until such time as Mr. Sprung or the board are free to share what happened, the only fair position to take is to wait for an explanation. And that may never happen, depending on what the attorneys — and I am sure that there are attorneys involved — agree to in terms of providing an explanation. Until such time as an explanation is forthcoming, it seems to me we need to offer some grace to both the AKC board and to Mr. Sprung.

Anne Barlow

Georgetown, Texas

Obviously, right now there is a lot of speculation about what happened. Since no press release has been forthcoming, the lack of communication from the AKC fuels this speculation. I find the timing of this event rather odd, and so do so many of the people I've talked to about this. I don't think the board would have acted without serious thought on such an important matter. Especially during Westminster week. But we won't know until further clarification is communicated from the board. Until then, the speculation about the event will continue.

Sue Bauman

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Completely unprofessional and a disgraceful way to treat Dennis! The AKC should apologize to him and give him a severance pay and benefits package for his 22 years of service.

Laurie Zelek 

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Why was Dennis Sprung fired? For what reasons? What did he do that you did not approve of? 

Honi Reisman 

Baldwin Harbor, New York

My family has known Dennis for 50-plus years. Dennis always had one goal, and that was to one day be president of the AKC. He immersed himself in everything AKC — the history, policies and procedures, everything. He worked his way up the ladder and reached his goal. He dedicated his life to making the AKC better with innovative ideas and ones he saw as successful through travels to clubs around the globe. Honestly, Dennis and I didn't always see eye to eye and had our disagreements, so I'm not responding as a rah-rah fan. One thing I do know is that he lived and breathed, maybe at the sacrifice of others, making the AKC the best it could be. Regarding his shocking dismissal, I am sure we may never hear the truth from the boardroom. I believe someone who has represented the organization the way Dennis has deserved to be treated with respect and dignity. This truly smells of a power play. I don't see good coming from this. The person who is interested in Dennis’ position will have huge shoes to fill. I truly hope the delegate body stands up and makes this right. Nothing is set in stone. 

Sylvia Arrowwood

Charleston, South Carolina

Having no testimony, facts or evidence of happenings at executive session, it would be impossible for anyone to pass judgment. Throughout many years, my dealings with Dennis Sprung have always been favorable. He treats those with whom he deals with respect, and if he did not have an answer to a query would always get back with the information. Trusting that the 13 members of the board or of those present and voting have taken proper action. That is why we voted for them to serve on our board.

Ann Gilbert

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

This is totally immoral and unethical. Dennis has devoted his professional career to the betterment of the dog fancy. If actions look like a fish and smell like a fish, then the whole situation stinks.

The Board that sanctioned this needs to exam their reasons thoroughly and rescind this action immediately. Dennis did not deserve to be treated like this because of someone's desire to climb the ladder by stepping on someone as ethical as Dennis.

Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki

Green Valley, Arizona

My reaction? Surprise and curiosity as well as sadness. Other than that, there is nothing to say. This must be a very serious decision made by the board, and I am very sure that everyone concerned has been told by legal counsel to not speak about it. I like Dennis and wish him well. Until the facts are known to us, I have no reaction.

Peggy Kenney

Bourne, Massachusetts

Any sudden relief of position is usually shrouded in secrecy for privacy (embarrassment) reasons. Unless there are enough "bad" dealings to warrant a legal action, the "dog community" may NEVER know what has transpired. Unless a friend of a friend — of a friend, etc. — spills the beans. He — and his means of conducting himself —are well known to the board, but not to the average AKC public. It behooves the BOD to make some sort of statement to stop rampant speculation. Lest they be considered to be following in the manner of the "He who would be King," where firings are done on a whim.

Betty M. Winthers

Lynnwood, Washington

It must be a JOKE — firing Dennis Sprung.

Lori Sternola

Charlotte, North Carolina

Hard to have “thoughts” when there’s been no press release or open communication from the AKC.  

Xiomara B. Larson 

Glastonbury, Connecticut

I am shocked to hear this news regarding Dennis; he has always been a great representative for AKC for a long time. I sure hope they do have a damn good reason. Wow!