The American Kennel Club’s Issue with Pedophiles

1. A girl assisted a dog handler who sexually assaulted her at a Dallas dog show.
2. The handler was convicted and served prison time, but continued showing dogs after release.
3. The AKC has been criticized for not protecting children from sexual abuse in the dog-show community.

A 14-year-old girl attending a Dallas dog show was sexually assaulted by a prominent handler, Adam Wilkerson. She began working as Wilkerson’s assistant a few months after the assault. He was later charged with sexually assaulting the girl across five counties, married to his girlfriend unaware. After confessing, pleading guilty, and spending 12 years in prison, Wilkerson died in 2020. The AKC, which oversees most dog shows, failed to prevent Wilkerson from attending events despite the mother reporting the incidents, highlighting the organization’s minimal role in protecting children.

The AKC markets dog shows as family-friendly, but incidents of sexual abuse within the dog show community have raised concerns. Handlers and judges have been convicted of various crimes against children, yet the AKC has not taken significant action in response. Recent high-profile accusations against AKC judges and handlers have brought the issue to the forefront. Some dog show professionals have been banned locally from participating in the events based on their criminal histories, raising questions about the AKC’s policies on protecting children from abuse and vetting participants.

The AKC, a profitable organization generating over $100 million in revenue, relies on participation in dog shows for income. Despite its resources, its policies on protecting children in the dog show community are lacking, with instances of child sexual abuse by handlers and judges remaining largely unaddressed. Critics point out that compared to similar organizations, the AKC’s response to preventing child abuse is limited. Recent initiatives and mandated trainings aim to enhance awareness of child sexual abuse within the dog show community, reflecting a shift toward addressing concerns around child safety in these events.

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