Mystery At Crufts - Truth May Never Out

Toxicology tests showed that the Irish setter who died in Belgium could not have ingested 'fast-acting' poison at the event in Birmingham.

12:06 19 March 2015

The owners of the Irish setter who died after an event in Birmingham and who is thought to have been poisoned were told by authorities that the dog could not have ingested “fast-acting” poison, based on toxicology report. 

 

The dog, which had the pet name Jagger, is owned by Belgian couples Aleksandra and Williem Lauwers and Leicastershire-based Dee Milligan-Bott and her husband Jeremy Bott. 

 

In a joint statement, they said: "We accept that we will never know the true facts of why, where and when Jagger ingested poison which resulted in his death.

"We wish now to draw a line under this tragedy."

They also criticised the Kennel’s club for the way that they’ve handled the issue. 

"That would have been helpful, rather than the cold, impersonal emails and their own press comments regretting that Jagger had died after the show (and) may have avoided the terrible media circus that ensued," they said.

In response to the owners' statements, a Crufts spokesperson said they advised the owners of the expected media interest and offered support.

"Both we and the owners have expressed our desire to draw a line under this, so that the owners can grieve privately.

"As dog owners ourselves, we understand how heart-breaking the loss of a beloved dog is and we have continually offered our sincere sympathies and support to the owners and continue to do so."