Crufts Boycott Reveals Deep Divisions

Rehoming charity, Dogs Trust has further highlighted today, long-seated divisions within the pet industry. The charity said this morning that the BBC's Pedigree Dogs Exposed programme had been the 'tipping point' in its decision to follow the RSPCA and boycott future Kennel Club events.

A spokesperson for the charity said today:

"We have always had regular dialogue with the Kennel Club about our recommendations for pedigree breeding as we believe in working with other organisations to influence from within to ensure that the welfare of all rescue dogs - pedigree and non-pedigree - is prioritised. However we have reached a tipping point prompted by the programme where we hope that our decision to withdraw will encourage a faster response from the Kennel Club."

The Trust said today its decision to withdraw from Crufts and Discover Dogs, made at a meeting of Trustees yesterday morning, was not taken lightly.

Responding to the news, Caroline Kisko issued a statement from the Kennel Club:

"The Dogs Trust's decision to withdraw from forthcoming Kennel Club events – which specifically aim to educate the public about the importance of choosing the right dog and going to a responsible breeder - seems to be at odds with their stated position and is extremely regrettable but we will continue to endeavour to work with them despite their stated position, for the benefit of dogs."

The issue of pedigree dog breeding has drawn heated debate from this sector of the pet industry for many years. Now however, since the BBC programme a sudden urgency appears to have taken hold. Dogs Trust said yesterday that it hoped its actions would lead to 'rapid changes'. The RSPCA says the need for change is now 'urgent'.