BBC pulls plug on Crufts at NEC over dog disease row

Dec 13 2008 by Harriet Alexander, Birmingham Mail

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ONE of the most prestigious events hosted in Birmingham will not be televised next year because of a row between the Kennel Club and the BBC.

Crufts has attracted thousands of dog lovers to the National Exhibition Centre for almost 20 years but now TV bosses have confirmed they will not be showing next year’s event.

The BBC became embroiled in a dispute with the Kennel Club after an undercover documentary shown in August claimed the breeding process used to produce pedigree dogs had resulted in a high incidence of inherited disease.

But the club said it was unable to accept the BBC’s condition that certain breeds of dogs be excluded from the show.

Kennel Club chairman Ronnie Irving said he was very sorry BBC viewers would not be able to see the show.

He said: “We have been forced to reject the insupportable conditions imposed by the BBC, who have told us they will only televise the show in 2009 if certain breeds are excluded from participating.