Great Yorkshire forced to abandon terrier classes

TERRIER classes at this year's Great Yorkshire Show have been cancelled.

The popular classes were due to take place on the final day of the event on July 15. But the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which runs the show, said owing to a shortage of entries it had been forced to drop the section.

Bill Cowling, honorary show director, said organisers were told last year they needed to change their rules to comply with the Animal Welfare Act which introduced new rules on showing dogs with docked tails.

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"Obviously the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has to respect the law," he said. "We endeavoured to include classes to reflect that, but sadly, we have not had enough entries to stage a meaningful show.

"We are deeply disappointed but have to comply with the law.

"I have personally written to all competitors to give them this news and after the show we will hold a meeting with a view to staging classes next year. I would welcome all suggestions as to how we can continue with this section."

In the past, the terrier show has attracted entries from over 200 exhibitors but when the closing date for this year's entries came on Tuesday, only 24 had entered.

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Tail docking has been outlawed in England although working dogs used in connection with shooting, falconry, hunting and pest control have been exempted from the ban to prevent injuries while they work in dense cover and below ground.

But the ban prevents dogs which have docked tails from being exhibited at shows where an entrance fee is paid except to demonstrate their working ability.

Last year's Great Yorkshire Show at the Great Yorkshire Showground near Harrogate attracted more than 130,000 visitors and a record 12,000 competitive entries.

More details about this year's event, from July 13-15, at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk