Crisis at Crufts as 170,000 claim 'cruelty' at dog show

CRUFTS show was embroiled in a fresh row yesterday after 170,000 people signed a petition to strip the “cruel” winner of the overall title.

Knopa, Best in ShowGETTY

Rebecca Cross handling Knopa the Scottish terrier in a manner that is 'customary' in the US

As an investigation into alleged poisonings at the competition continued, animal lovers complained that “a blind eye” had been turned by organisers after footage emerged showing American competitor Rebecca Cross, who won the Best in Show award, picking up her Scottish terrier Knopa by its neck and tail. 

Yesterday, more than 170,000 people had signed two separate petitions calling for her to be stripped of the title. 

Caroline Kisko, the beleaguered Kennel Club Secretary, said the situation was now being reviewed in light of all the complaints.

We do not believe it would be fair to strip the dog of its Best in Show title because the dog was awarded this prize based on its own merits in the show ring

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary

She said: “We completely understand the concerns about how Knopa, the Best in Show dog, was handled on the judging table. 

“Those showing at Crufts receive clear written guidance on handling their dog, in order to ensure the dog’s welfare, and this guidance makes it clear that dogs should not be handled in this way. 

“This was further highlighted to the handler by show officials. 

“The handler has since apologised for this and the upset caused and we’ve been assured that the dog, who must be our main priority, is happy and well. 

“Prior to this incident the guidance related to handling has been followed by those showing their dogs but in light of this situation we will be reviewing our rules and guidance and how they may need to be amended going forward. A decision will be made by committee about what action may be taken within the current rules and guidance.”

She added: “We are looking into this specific case and a decision will be made by committee about the actions that have been taken by the exhibitor at Crufts and the next steps. 

“The judge’s primary focus is on the dogs themselves and we do not believe it would be fair to strip the dog of its Best in Show title because the dog was awarded this prize based on its own merits in the show ring.” 

It is thought the petition is unlikely to be successful. 

Knopa and Rebecca CrossGETTY

Knopa was awarded Best in Show at Crufts

Immediately after the footage of Ms Cross handling her dog was shown, Crufts issued an apology.

And the Kennel Club, which runs the 124-year-old event, further explained that it had warned Ms Cross not to pick up the dog in that manner but that it was “customary” to do so in the US.

Ms Cross herself also later issued an apology, saying she “didn’t do it on purpose, it was just habit.”

She added: “It’s just one of those things. It happened and I tried to really think about it and not do it, but it’s habit.”

Meanwhile, investigations into the death of Jagger the three-year-old Irish setter at the show - and reports of the death of a shih tzu over the weekend - continued yesterday. Authorities at the competition are also looking into claims up to another five dogs may have been poisoned during the contest in Birmingham last week.

However, a vet investigating the death of Jagger has now said he believed it was “unlikely” to have happened during the competition.

Dr Patrick Jans, a Belgian vet leading the probe, revealed the dog’s co-owners contacted them at around 2am on Saturday reporting the Irish setter Thendara Satisfaction, known as Jagger, was dying.

The dog, which had come second in its class at the prestigious event on Thursday, died in Belgium having apparently been fed poisoned chunks of steak, its owners claim.

But Dr Jans said: “I doubt it happened at Crufts. I think that is unlikely and I am surprised everyone is saying this is the case. It could have happened on the way back from Crufts or even in the hours after they came back.”

Crufts Judge On Poisoning Allegations- 'We Don't Harm Dogs'

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