talk.kiezburn.org
Fri 29 Apr 2022 9:34AM

[Decision] Dogs at Kiez Burn 2022

S Sunniva Public Seen by 83

Last edited: 09.06.22

A decision has been made

  • Who made the decision: @Sunniva

  • When the decision was made: 13.05.22

  • Decision Summary: I (Sunniva) will be this year's Dog Lead, and we will welcome up to 5 dogs at Kiez Burn this year!

  • Following last years dog trial, and two weeks of community engagement and discussion about this year's proposal, and after adjusting the suggested agreements based on the feedback received, I have decided that there is sufficient support and agreement to go through with having dogs at the burn. I will now move forward with organising everything for this to happen as smooth as possible.

  • If you have any questions about dogs at Kiez Burn, you can either comment in this thread, or reach out to me directly via Telegram: @sunniva, Talk: @sunniva or Discord: Sunniva (she/her) #6273


❣️ Use this form to apply to bring your dog to Kiez Burn.


❣️  Deadline to apply: 26.06.22



💕 🐶 💕

Short summary:

I propose to continue last year's initiative to allow a handful of dogs to Kiez Burn. I've listed a report from last year's experience, proposed agreements, and a few other practical things.

Proposer

@Sunniva

I've been in the Kiez Burn community since 2018, and I have a cute little street dog named Pepa (aka Jessica Freja Pepalicious). I'd love to continue last year's initiative in finding a wholesome and mindful way to bring a few dogs onsite.

Here's the link to last year's advice process: https://talk.kiezburn.org/d/D20BEOi4/-decision-dogs-at-kiez-burn-2021

 Information gathered before posting & report from last year

  • We know that Freiland allows dogs on their land, and that the area is usually used for dog walks. Unlike many other burn environments in terms of climate, sound levels and surroundings, Kiez Burn offers a particularly dog-friendly environment at Freiland.

  • The dog trial in 2021 offered many learnings and observations, and I am confident that we can go through with this initiative in an even smoother way this year.

  • We collected a lot of feedback during the event in 2021 that will be taken into consideration this year. I personally received overwhelmingly positive feedback about bringing dogs to the event in a considerate way.

  • We also did a survey after the event where 64 community members shared their experiences with last year's dog trial. This feedback will be taken into consideration moving forward.

  • Half of the survey participants (47,6 %) shared that their overall experience with dogs at the burn was positive, and 30,2 % shared that their experience was neutral.

  • With a smaller percentage (20,6 %) stating that their overall experience with last year's dog trial was negative, and assuming that most of the Kiez Burn community members with a negative experience felt compelled to give feedback about it, I would say that these numbers are in favour of the dog trial!

  • About folks allergic to dogs, we know that allergens from dogs are commonly spread in indoor environments. Because Kiez Burn takes place outdoors, it is my understanding that the risk of allergic reactions are severely decreased. In having restricted areas for dogs, and providing areas and spaces completely free of dogs, I believe that any allergic burner can peacefully coexist with our dogs during Kiez Burn. Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pet-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352192

People/roles most affected by this proposal + with the most knowledge and experience relevant to this proposal

  • Last year's Co-Dog Lead: @Hanna-Maija (Animal)

  • Rangers for a radio: @Jessie

  • Site leads in case of an incident: @Bee

  • The community

The proposal

Background

Freiland is a beautiful dog-friendly area, and the Kiez Burn community has many passionate dog pawrents & friends of dogs. Allowing dogs onsite can be an inclusive alteration for some of our community members, and it can make all of us better equipped to welcome service dogs in the future too.

For Kiez Burn 2021, we realised a dog trial with the prospect of finding a wholesome and mindful way to bring a few dogs onsite. We collected a lot of feedback during the event in 2021 that is taken into consideration moving forward.

Proposal & implementation

These are the agreements I propose in order to allow dogs onsite during Kiez Burn 2022.

Agreements:

  1. Dog Lead is the point of contact in incidents involving a dog onsite, and takes full responsibility in resolving matters, alternatively together with other leads, depending on the circumstances. Dog Lead will be available via radio throughout the event.

  2. All dogs will be registered with the Dog Lead beforehand. There will be a sign-up sheet to make sure all requirements are met, and a maximum of 5 dogs will be allowed onsite throughout the event. Only healthy, kid friendly, chipped and vaccinated dogs with “Hundehaftpflicht” insurance will be allowed. The dogs will have lights on at nighttime.

  3. All dogs will be supervised by a Responsible Human at any given time, and always on leash when walking around onsite. The Responsible Human makes sure the dog only goes where it’s allowed to go, removes all dog M(p)OOP, and cares for their dog's needs (shielding from loud sounds/agitated humans, providing sufficient water and food etc.). Dog Lead will provide mindful guidelines for all Responsible Humans prior to the event, and will carry a First Aid Kit + have access to a car in case of emergencies.

  4. Dogs are not allowed in the First Aid Tent, Welfare or any kitchen areas. Camps and art installations can choose if their area is dog-friendly or not. It is the responsibility of the Responsible Human to make sure a space is dog-friendly before entering.

  5. One person can be a Responsible Human for several dogs at a time if necessary.

  6. Designated areas for dogs in enclosed spaces and structures where they can play or rest safely and unleashed while supervised can be provided. Dog Lead will make sure that these designated areas are sufficiently secured.

  7. Dogs come second to meeting the needs of people. Any concerns, wishes and needs shall be respected without any further questions in all areas that are not designated areas for dogs.

  8. All Responsible Humans are liable for the actions of their dog. If an incident occurs where a dog have caused fear or harm during the event, and mediation or support is needed, this is initially the responsibility of the Dog Lead. Depending on severity, the Responsible Human and their dog might have to leave the event. Site Lead makes the final call. Protocols for this will be cleared with Site Lead and Ranger Lead prior to the event.

  9. All protocols, agreements and guidelines as well as a bullet list with crucial details for dogs at Kiez Burn will be shared with Gate, Site Leads and Rangers. A list with contact details and photos of the dogs will also be provided.

  10. Dog Lead will have close contact with all Responsible Humans prior to and throughout the event. Dog Lead is also responsible to collect feedback, experiences and register incidents involving dogs at Kiez Burn.

Who would implement this proposal

@Sunniva will volunteer as this year’s Dog Lead. 

When this proposal would be implemented

I would like to move on with this proposal in a week’s time: Friday 13th of May at 15.00. The proposal would be set in action immediately after, and people could apply to bring their dogs throughout May.

The cost (time, money, effort, etc.) of this proposal

This proposal should have no direct impact on the finances of Kiez Burn. The goal is to be as independent as possible from other functions during the burn. Other leads should only be involved in case event of a severe incident.

What some advantages of this proposal are

My understanding is that this proposal is in line with the Kiez Burn principles, and that it especially honours the principles of Inclusion, Immediacy and Radical Self-Expression, as well as the unwritten principle of All Things Cuddly. We would be able to welcome and include community members together with their canine companions.

What some disadvantages of this proposal are

Kiez Burn originally has a strict no pets policy (with the exception of service dogs) that is listed under “inclusion” in one of the eleven Kiez Burn principles. This proposal suggests an alteration to the no pets policy in the Kiez Burn principles.

Please share any suggestions, objections, feedback and similar before Friday 13th of May at 15.00.

Thank you for reading through!

RH

Richard Hodkinson Sun 1 May 2022 2:30PM

I like dogs. My only fear would be sitting in their pee by a tree when enhanced on a Friday....

NR

Nick Reiher Sun 1 May 2022 11:35AM

About dog-free or dog-friendly camps or spaces, I believe that by default all spaces should be dog-free. Then any camps that welcome dogs should have to explicitly say so and somehow communicate that to people who might be there (with a sign or something at the entrance?).

This better allows people who want to avoid dogs to more easily do so.

NR

Nick Reiher Sun 1 May 2022 11:30AM

Re: the 20% of people who voted that the dog trial in 2021 was a negative experience for them that you mentioned? Was there any space for them to put the reasons there experience was negative? If so, what were the reasons people put? Or what other specific things negative things /

Also, was the survey only about the dog trial? How was it publicized?

From your statement here "With a smaller percentage (20,6 %) stating that their overall experience with last year's dog trial was negative, and assuming that a majority of the Kiez Burn community members with a negative experience felt compelled to participate in the survey, I would say that these numbers are in favour of the dog trial!"

I disagree with the conclusion that the majority of people who had negative experiences filled out the survey. Less than 10% of attendees filled it out in total, and one could just as easily argue that people who like dogs and had positive experiences filled it out at a much higher rate.

H

Hanna-Maija (Animal) Sun 1 May 2022 10:46AM

Thank you for making this proposal Sunniva! I myself would not be bringing my dogs to KB this year as I now have 2 and that would be too much for me with all my other responsibilities.

I am nevertheless supporting this proposal. I think Freiland is very dog friendly area itself and the surrounding forests offer great opportunities to take dogs for longer walks out of the Freiland area. I also think both the dog lovers and the people who don't like dogs can co-exist in the area as long as we have clear rules around the dogs.

The important points and what in my opinion makes dog onsite possible are
- Dogs are ALWAYS on leash when moving in the KB area. No exceptions. This is very important for the safety and comfort for everyone (and how I wish the "real world" would be as well! I also hate it when people have their dogs off leash on the streets of Berlin. Very selfish behaviour from dog owners ).
- Each camp and art project can exclude dogs from their area if they so decide.
- Each dog is healthy and vaccinated and has the liability insurance. I would add chipped too since that is the requirement for all the dogs in at least Berlin since the beginning of this year.

I think it would be great if the Dog Lead would also have a basic first aid kit for dogs available and possibility to use a car if there is some health issues with any of the dogs. I can offer at least my car for this purpose.

Education about consent and boundaries related to animals wouldn't hurt either! Meaning: ask before touching anyone's dog and asking before letting your dog touch anyone :) If you are entering a space with a dog it's good practise to ask if everyone are comfortable with it. It's also ok to communicate your boundaries if you don't want a dog near you <3

DU

Sat 30 Apr 2022 10:17AM

Hi @Sunniva. I appreciate it that you are being really mindful in your approach, and went as far as collect opinions and feedback about last year's trial. Thank you for this work. I do read your proposal as biased as you are a dog owner and are motivated to bring your dog with you. I enjoyed reading the numbers and I see that the majority of people asked are either neutral or strong negative, which for me does not indicate the success of the trial as you name it. As somebody who is fearful of dogs, I would prefer a dog-free environment at KiezBurn. I believe that most burns I have been to stay dog and pet free, for a wide range of reasons. I would appreciate it if you looked for wider feedback and actively asked the KB22 participants to comment over passing this through in a do-ocratic yet biased way.

I second @Ale on asking you to seek further feedback from larger community. As already stated, it seems to me right now that you are looking to pass this through without really going through an advice process. I repeat myself as I find it important.

A

Ale Fri 29 Apr 2022 8:03PM

Hi @Sunniva - love this and was a big fan of the dogs last year. Limit of 5 dogs seems like a nice size. Some remarks:

A. What’s the process deciding on which dogs are allowed/who reviews applications? (First come…, Requirements in behaviour, friendliness, health, etc.)

B. Will there be a dog Kiez? If not, what’s the procedure concerning people in camps or freecampers bringing dogs? (I imagine camps could agree together if they are ok, what about freecampers? - I can imagine parking could help with setting areas especially for dog parents)

C. The deadline until 6. Mai seems short, Spark could be a great place to gather feedback, get acceptance and support for your proposal.

D. It would be lovely if you’d present this on discord and make a sub channel/thread, to get more feedback from a wider audience of the participants. (As talk is often rather sparsely visited 😉)

Lots of love,

Ale

S

Sunniva Fri 29 Apr 2022 10:41AM

I'll also be sure to add a paragraph about the dogs to the Programme in due time 🙂

S

Sunniva Fri 29 Apr 2022 10:33AM

As soon as I can move on with this proposal (hopefully by next Friday), I'll be sharing some simple protocols with Site Lead @Bee & Ranger Lead @Jessie for you to just look over and "ok".

Please see point 8. for details in case you have anything to share or remark about this:

"8. All Responsible Humans are completely liable for the actions of their dog. If an incident occurs where a dog have caused fear or harm during the event, such an incident is initially the responsibility of the Dog Lead. Depending on severity, Site Lead will make the final call, and the Responsible Human and their dog might have to leave the event."

Also @Jessie can Dog Lead have one of the radios from the Rangers?