Channel 4 under fire after Crufts winner’s animal cruelty conviction emerges

Animal charities call for “extreme” breeds to no longer be eligible for prizes and full vetting of competitors

Animal charities have complained to Channel 4 after the winner of Crufts best in show was found to have been convicted of animal cruelty, and said the winning dog is an “extreme” breed that has had a “lifetime of suffering”.

After Lee Cox and his four-year-old Clumber spaniel Bruin won best in show at the prestigious dog competition, it emerged that Cox had a previous conviction for animal cruelty.