An Irish Setter has died at Crufts because of poisoning, a post-mortem revealed.
Collapsed
Three-year-old Thendara Satisfaction (Jagger) collapsed at his home on Friday (6 March), the day after competing at the show.
According to his breeder, Dee Milligan-Bott, the Setter showed no signs of ill-health until he got to his home in Belgium, where co-owner Alexandra Lauwers lives.
“All the dogs were all running and playing together and Jagger seemed a bit tired, unable to keep up with the others,” Dee told Dog World.”Three or four hours later after getting back to Belgium he collapsed and by the time the vet arrived he was dead.”
Poisened meat
A post-mortem found cubes of meat in Jagger’s stomach that had been contaminated with two or three different poisons. The owners are waiting for a full toxicology report.
“Whoever did this knew what they were doing, trying to get exactly the right type of poison with a slow release,” said Dee, who is based in Leicestershire.
Dee and Alexandra took several Irish Setters and Afghans to Crufts, all of were benched together. However, the dogs swapped places when one of them became agitated by a nearby bitch in season.
Police investigation
There has been speculation the poison was intended for Jagger’s half-brother Pot Noodle, who won best in breed. Jagger came second in his class.
However, Dee doesn’t believe Jagger was poisoned by another competitor.
“We can’t and we won’t think that this was the act of another exhibitor,” said Dee on her Facebook page. “If we thought this we couldn’t go on, the last 30 years would be a complete waste.”
Belgium police are investigating the incident while the Kennel Club is examining CCTV footage from the NEC in Birmingham.
‘Deeply shocked’
Caroline Kisko secretary of the Kennel Club said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Jagger’s death and our heartfelt sympathies go out to his owners.
“We are in contact with the owners and will do all we can to support them at this sad time.”
“We understand that the toxicology report is due next week and until that time we cannot know the cause of this tragic incident.”