Calls are growing for this year’s Crufts champion to be stripped of his Best in Show award after The Independent revealed he had a previous conviction for animal abuse.
A petition, which has amassed more than 15,000 signatures since Tuesday, is urging organisers the Royal Kennel Club to remove Lee Cox’s trophy prize and enforce a lifetime ban on people with animal cruelty convictions participating in the show.
It was revealed on Monday that Mr Cox was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a black cocker spaniel named Adam, following a three-day trial at Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court in September 2001.
The Royal Kennel Club stressed in an earlier statement to this publication that it was “an isolated incident 25 years ago” and said Mr Cox has had an “unblemished record” in the years since.
Kylie-Jo Cope, who launched the petition, wrote: “Crufts is not just another competition, it is the most prestigious dog show in the world; watched and respected by animal lovers everywhere. When someone is awarded a Crufts title, it sends a message about what the sport stands for.
“Allowing anyone with a history of animal cruelty to keep such a title undermines the integrity of Crufts and sends a dangerous signal that welfare standards are flexible when it’s inconvenient to enforce them.”
Mr Cox, who ran Kaston Kennels in Mark, Somerset, received a three-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £5,000 costs by the court after the cocker spaniel suffered a chronic ear infection, which resulted in amputation.
The Independent reported that Companies House listings show the kennels were dissolved in February 2018, but Mr Cox is listed at the Vanitonia kennel at the same address in Somerset.
Ms Cope said: “Crufts is meant to represent the very highest standards of animal welfare, responsible ownership, and respect for dogs. That is exactly why this matters — and why so many people feel shocked and deeply upset at the idea that someone with previous animal cruelty convictions could hold a Crufts title.”
At the Crufts dog show in Birmingham on Sunday, Mr Cox led his Clumber spaniel Bruin to victory, trouncing 18,000 other competitors.
Speaking after his win, he said: “It’s just amazing, I mean, what can I say? I can’t believe it. Thank you so much.”
Mr Cox added: “He’s just, he’s a dog of a lifetime, he really, really is. He’s very, very special. I absolutely adore him. And he adores me.”
Earlier this week, the Royal Kennel Club told The Independent: “We can confirm that in 2001, Mr Lee Cox, winner of the Crufts 2026 Best in Show award, was involved in a court case relating to a cocker spaniel who had a chronic ear infection. The court issued a conditional discharge.
“Convictions involving animal welfare are always reviewed by the Royal Kennel Club and due reflection will be given to the way the courts treat such convictions. In this case an appropriate sanction was imposed by the disciplinary committee reflecting the court decision and did not warrant a disqualification. This was an isolated incident 25 years ago. Mr Cox has had an unblemished record in the 25 years since this incident, making a significant positive contribution to the world of dogs.”
The Independent has approached the Royal Kennel Club and Mr Cox for comment.
