Crufts Dog Show

The Crufts Dog Show is an event that is organised and hosted by the Kennel Club. It is held over four days (Thursday to Sunday) in early March at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. Dogs from all over the world come to take part in this competition every year.

This year an Irish setter dog from named Jegger won second place, just over 24 hours later back in Belgium, he died. His owner claims he was fed chunks of beef that were poisoned, another dog has also died and at least five other dogs have been found ill after the event.

Dr Patrick Jans is a vet from Belgian and was contacted by the Jagger’s owner said “I doubt it happened it happened at Crufts. I think that is unlikely and I am surprised everyone is saying this is the case. I could have happened on the way back from the event or even hours after they came back.”

A spokeswoman for the club said: “The facts surrounding Jagger’s sad death are still being established. With regards to speculation about any other incidents involving other dogs, we must stress that these are at this stage just rumours.

“As with any international competition, rumours of sabotage do occasionally surface. This of course is not in the spirit of competition and will not be tolerated.

“Anyone caught attempting to deliberately sabotage another competitor’s performance, particularly if a dog’s welfare is put at risk, will face severe disciplinary action, which could include a ban on competing at all Kennel Club-licensed events.

“Furthermore, anyone who puts a dog’s welfare at risk could face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.” - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/crufts-2015-death-poisoning-of-irish-setter-dog-jagger-likely-to-have-happened-after-event-10099892.html

The vet, Patrick Jans, told the BBC he had "no idea" when the dog was poisoned and would not be making any comment until the toxicology report was published next week.

He said: "At this stage I don't know what the poison was, when the dog was poisoned or whether it was poisoned at all."

He said he would comment after toxicological tests being carried out at Ghent University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were published next week.

He said: "Once we know the results I will talk to the owners first and then there will be a statement and then we will speak to the press."

Earlier, Mr Jans was quoted in The Sun newspaper as saying that the poisoning was unlikely to have happened during Crufts. However, speaking to the BBC, Mr Jans denied making these comments. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-31829037

After a report in the Times on Friday suggested breeders and owners are increasingly worried that the intensity of competition has led to people engaging in underhand practices such as people snipping dogs’ fur or lacing food with laxatives, the Kennel Club warned that anyone attempting to deliberately sabotage another competitor’s performance would face severe disciplinary procedures.

Milligan-Bott had earlier told Dog World that breeding had turned into a “nasty sport” and suggested someone might have been jealous at her success. But she told the Guardian that she could not believe that another dog owner or breeder could have been responsible for Jagger’s death.

“I can only imagine it’s some awful random person who did this. I don’t want to believe that another dog owner did this. The only thing we all have in common is we love dogs – we are not going to kill someone else’s dogs.”

Kennel Club secretary, Caroline Kisko said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Jagger’s death and our heartfelt sympathies go out to his owners. Whilst we are unclear of exactly what happened, we understand that a toxicology report is due next week and that this matter has been reported to the police – we will work with them and help however we can. We are in contact with the owners and will do all we can to support them at this sad time.” - http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/08/police-investigate-alleged-poisoning-of-dog-at-crufts