'No tolerance' vow after Crufts dog Jagger dies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31807943

Version 0 of 1.

Crufts organisers have said sabotage will not be tolerated, amid "unsubstantiated" rumours other dogs were poisoned at the show.

The co-owners of Jagger, the Irish setter that died after allegedly being poisoned at Crufts, have vowed to continue competing in the event.

One dog owner told The Telegraph she believed her Shetland sheepdog had also been poisoned.

The Kennel Club said speculation about other incidents were "just rumours".

Anyone who puts a dog's welfare at risk could face prosecution, it added.

No vets had raised concerns about poisoning and no official complaints had been made from any owners at Crufts, a spokeswoman said.

She added: "The facts surrounding Jagger's sad death are still being established.

'Severe disciplinary action'

"There are any number of reasons why a dog may display symptoms such as sickness and should a dog fall sick there are vets at Crufts who will examine the dog in question and file a report.

"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."

Dee Milligan-Bott and her husband Jeremy told reporters they wished to be left alone to grieve for Jagger but would return to Crufts next year.

Mr Bott said he did not think the dog was targeted, but the culprit may have been acting on "a grudge against dogs or the Crufts show".

Jagger came second in his class at the show at Birmingham's NEC on Thursday.

He died after returning to Belgium with fellow owner of Jagger Aleksandra Lauwers.