K9 Magazine Comment on BBC Decision to Suspend Crufts
Published on December 12, 2008 by Ryan O'Meara · 5 CommentsAs we have called for on these pages for several months now, the BBC has made the correct call. It is pleasing to see the biggest public service broadcaster taking to heart the feelings of the public, that animal welfare should not be compromised for the purpose of entertainment. There are many health issues that must be worked through with regard to the state of canine health. The BBC absolutely could not – in good faith – have continued to broadcast Crufts with a dark cloud hanging over it following the broadcast of Pedigree Dogs Exposed and the withdrawal of support by the UK’s largest animal welfare charities.
Let us hope that this decision creates a genuine momentum for change in the quest for the pursuit health in dogs.
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For once, I am looking forward to showing at Crufts. No huge trade stands, no BBC camera crews forcing their way through the benching areas and into the rings, judges not having to rush because the BBC demands that the Groups are judged at a certain time, no fatuous comments from Ben Fogle and Matt Baker.
Crufts will be back to what it was when I started showing, an opportunity for breed enthusiasts to see the best dogs in their breed and other breeds, top obedience and HWM dogs, the Gamekeepers' Classes and yes, my dogs are both beautiful and fit for function – they cover miles on the grouse moor in the season!
Fantastic, i am VERY pleased the BBC have decided to boot Crufts into touch. Excellent move!
Great news for the Kennel Club. I'll enter my dog and book my tickets for Crufts now the BBC have cleared off.
This article is not quite accurate – the BBC have not suspended Crufts coverage. The truth is that the Kennel Club have refused to let BBC cover Crufts because the BBC demanded that a list of 10 dogs had to be banned from competing. And I agree with all the other people who have replied to this article – Crufts without the BBC is an improvement.
I will quote from the BBC's own statement:
"The BBC confirmed today that it has suspended coverage of the Crufts dog show in 2009 pending further investigations into the health and well being of pedigree dogs in the UK."
Says very clearly that the BBC has suspended coverage NOT that the Kennel Club has 'refused' – the BBC holds the broadcast rights to Crufts until 2010.
Considering so many people are saying Crufts without the BBC is an 'improvement' they sure do act bitter about it. To the level of childishness in fact.
Ryan, if Crufts without the BBC is such an improvement, how come the Kennel Club has let the BBC broadcast Crufts for so many years? Talk about spin, there is more spinning going on at the Kennel Club than there ever was inside a Lancashire cotton mill! Maybe the next thing for the KC is for somebody to supply them with a ladder to help them get out of the massive hole they are continuing to dig for themselves!