Crufts Death: 'No Proof' Dogs Were Poisoned

The organisers of Crufts have said there is no proof any dogs were poisoned at this year's show.

The Kennel Club made the declaration after earlier confirming it was looking into reports that up to six animals had been targeted.

Its investigation follows the death of an Irish setter named Jagger after it allegedly ate beef laced with poison.

According to the Daily Telegraph, several other dogs including a West Highland white terrier, an Afghan hound and a shih-tzu were also sick after the show at the Birmingham NEC.

The spate of sickness has sparked concerns that one or more people may have been poisoning the dogs.

Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko said she wished to "make it absolutely clear that there is currently no evidence that any dog has been poisoned at Crufts".

She added:"Whilst there are suspicions about poisoning, the veterinary surgeon who carried out the post mortem (on Jagger) has told the Kennel Club that she cannot comment on where, when and indeed if poisoning has taken place until the results of the toxicology report are available.

"Whilst reports surrounding the welfare of dogs at Crufts are taken with the utmost of seriousness, a number of the reports in the news about dogs becoming sick after leaving the show have been from anonymous sources, who have not reported the allegations to us or the police, and we cannot look into claims about which we have no direct information.

"We urge these people and anybody else who may have similar concerns to come forward and report them to the Kennel Club."

Ms Kisko warned 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 and could be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Reports of other dogs being poisoned came as the co-owners of Jagger, Jeremy and Dee Milligan-Bott, vowed to return to Crufts next year.

"Crufts is the best show in the world and we will certainly be back again next year competing. This one isolated incident will not spoil our enjoyment to show and compete with our lovely dogs," Mr Bott said.

Three-year-old Jagger, whose pedigree name is Thendara Satisfaction, came second in his class at the show on Thursday.

He collapsed and died after returning to his co-owner in Belgium, Aleksandra Lauwers.

The owners have said that beef laced with unknown poisons was found during a post-mortem examination. The results of toxicology tests are expected next week.

Mrs Milligan-Bott said Jagger's death was the result of a "heinous crime", but she believed it was a random attack and did not think another exhibitor was responsible .

The four-day event finished on Sunday, with Scottish Terrier Knopa named Best In Show.