This year’s Best in Show winner at Crufts, Lee Cox, has a troubling past revealed: he was convicted of animal cruelty for keeping a cocker spaniel in appalling conditions at a Somerset kennel.
Cox, from Somerset, won Best in Show with his four-year-old Clumber spaniel, Bruin. However, he was found guilty in 2001 of causing unnecessary suffering to a retired stud dog. The case involved Cox and Roger Stone, who received a three-year conditional discharge and were ordered to pay £5,000 in prosecution costs.
An inspection of Kaston Kennels in Mark uncovered the dogs in distressing conditions, described as “bald and scabby” and some “filthy.” Cox admitted to not taking the spaniel to a vet, instead treating the dog’s ear infection with medication prescribed for another animal. Stone claimed he had not seen the dog in five years, citing poor health as the reason for staying indoors.
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Inspector Jo Daniel, who conducted the visit, expressed shock that internationally renowned dog breeders were responsible for such neglect. She emphasized, “The RSPCA prosecutes without fear or favour. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, whoever commits it.”
Despite the past, Cox expressed pride in his recent achievement, saying, “I can’t believe it. It’s just wonderful for this breed. He’s the dog of a lifetime. He’s really, really special.”
A spokesperson for the Royal Kennel Club confirmed the 2001 court case relating to a cocker spaniel with a chronic ear infection and noted that the conditional discharge was the court’s judgment. The club reviewed the incident and imposed appropriate sanctions but did not disqualify Cox. They highlighted that this was an isolated incident 25 years ago and that Cox has maintained a clean record since, contributing positively to the dog community.