A timeline of the legal proceedings
On 31 January 2022, Oslo District Court found that the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club and six breeders have all breached the Animal Welfare Act. You will find below the most important dates and events from the start of the legal action until present day.
19 March 2019: The Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK) has a meeting with the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals (NSPA)
The meeting came about as a result of queries and questions that the NSPA had addressed to the NKK concerning inbreeding estimates, effective population sizes and crossbreeding in connection with their “Honestly” campaign. The NKK’s special adviser, Astrid Indrebø, is a vet with a PhD in obstetrics. She gave an in-depth presentation of how the NKK works with regard to pedigree breeding, both nationally and internationally. She rejected claims of resetting inbreeding levels and showed articles and information focusing on genetic diversity.
23 November 2020: The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals files a complaint
The NSPA serves a writ of summons on the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six breeders to appear before Oslo District Court, claiming that it is contrary to section 25, first and second paragraphs, of the Animal Welfare Act to breed English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
November 2020: A lawyer is chosen
The NKK, the breed clubs and breeders choose to be represented by lawyer Geir Lippestad and the law firm Lippestad AS. The parties will join forces in the case when it comes before Oslo District Court.
18 January 2020: The NKK, breed clubs and breeders file a notice of intention to defend the claim
10-16 November 2021: The parties meet in Oslo District Court
Five days are set aside for the hearing.Both sides present evidence and testimony in court. The breeders, representatives of the breed clubs and members of the NKK leadership explain how they work tirelessly on various levels to improve the health of the breeds through research-based organised breeding. They are well supported by the testimony of expert witnesses. The proceedings end on 16 November.
17 January 2022: Judgement is postponed
Oslo District Court announces in a letter to the parties that judgement will not be delivered until the end of January at the earliest.
31 January 2022: Judgement is pronounced
Oslo District Court finds that the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and the six breeders have breached section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act. If this judgement is not appealed and thus becomes final, it means that the defendants will no longer be allowed to breed English Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
11 February 2022: The NKK is to appeal
The NKK announces that the defendants will appeal against the judgement. A new legal team is also announced. Simonsen Vogt Wiig will now represent the parties. The NKK, clubs and breeders will also stand united for the next round in court.
28 February 2022: The appeal is filed
The Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and the six breeders appeal against the judgement delivered by Oslo District Court to Borgarting Court of Appeal.
19 September 2022: The appeal starts
Five days have been set aside for the appeal.