By Selena Masson, Shooting Times
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
The RSPCA has suspended plans for its stand at Crufts next March in the wake of the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed.
The RSPCA is now calling for new measures to tackle what it calls 'the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and disease' that threaten pedigree dogs.
The RSPCA’s Mark Evans said: “Dog shows using current breed standards as the main judging criteria actively encourage both the intentional breeding of deformed and disabled dogs and the inbreeding of closely related animals. There is compelling scientific evidence that the health and welfare of hundreds of thousands of pedigree dogs is seriously compromised as a result.”
This comes as the Kennel Club (KC) announced that it is lodging a complaint with TV regulator, Ofcom, about the documentary.
The KC said it was unfairly edited and did not properly reflect its “deep commitment to the health and welfare of dogs”.
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