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BBC snubs Crufts in row over pedigree breeds
The BBC will not televise Crufts dog show next year following a dispute over the inclusion of certain breeds of pedigree dog in the competition, it was announced yesterday.
The broadcaster said it was suspending coverage of the world-famous show pending further investigation into the health and well-being of pedigree breeds in the UK.
The BBC has broadcast the show, which now attracts more than 27,000 dogs and more than 150,000 visitors to the NEC Birmingham over its four-day run, every year since 1966.
But concerns about the health of dogs appearing in shows were highlighted in a BBC documentary earlier this year, which claimed the breeding process used to produce pedigree animals had resulted in a high incidence of inherited genetic disease.
Animal welfare charities the RSPCA and the PDSA decided to suspend their involvement with next year's event because of concerns raised about dog health and welfare.
The BBC will now not be broadcasting Crufts in March 2009 after organisers the Kennel Club refused to comply with demands to exclude certain breeds of dog from the competition.
The Kennel Club accused the BBC of imposing "insupportable conditions" on the show, which did not take into account measures the club had put in place to improve the health of pedigree dogs.
In October, the Kennel Club announced it would be reviewing each of the 209 pedigree breeds in the UK following concerns about genetic diseases. It announced revised standards for the breeds, which it said would have far-reaching benefits for dogs.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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