Official Pet Policy at RCPT-USA Events

Purpose:  As RCPT-USA has grown in membership and popularity, its members and spectators have increasingly brought their pets out to enjoy the events with them. There have been a few incidents that have highlighted the risks at recent events. In light of these incidents, we are no longer able to accept the risk. While we understand the deep bond between pets and their owners, the safety of our members and our tenure on the Kay Larkin Airport at Palatka necessitate this policy:

1. There are dogs that live or regularly spend long durations of time at the airfield. They have been conditioned to the dangers and the limitations they must remain within allowing safe operation around aircraft. The owners and names of these specific pets will be maintained by the RCPT BoD.
2. All other dogs, or other pets, including service dogs, brought to any event by RCPT members or their guests, whether at the hangars or Skydive Palatka, must be physically restrained with a leash, tied up, or in a cage, crate, or other restraining device/structure. The animals indicated in the above paragraph are the only exceptions to this requirement.
3. Jumpers actively engaged in drawing, donning, removing, or turning in parachutes, students undergoing training, as well as jumpmasters conducting Jumpmaster Personnel Inspections (JMPI) will not be tethered to nor responsible for restraining dogs. 
4. Anyone witnessing or a victim of an incident should report the incident promptly to the Vice President, Sergeant at Arms, or the Safety Officer.
5. Any incidence of physical attack or other uncontrolled behavior will result in the animal and the owner being asked to leave the airfield. The animal determined to pose a safety hazard (aggressive, uncontrolled, or other behavior of concern) will be banned permanently. The RCPT BoD will maintain a roster of banned animals. The owner may not return to the airfield for that event until the animal is housed off premises in a legal and humane manner. The owner may be asked to provide proof the animal is legally and humanely housed or cared for. The Vice President, or his appointed action officer, will determine the facts surrounding any incident or designate someone to do so. That person will make a recommendation to the President and Vice President or the board for disposition of the matter.
6. The owner of Skydive Palatka, Mr. Art Shaffer, as the tenant of the airfield and therefore responsible party, is the final adjudication authority in the event of any dispute.