Drugs controversy at Crufts

Crufts was today plunged into controversy after a competitor claimed his prize dog was drugged by a jealous rival owner.

Clive Evans believes his Dobermann Kerri - last year's champion bitch - was given sedative-spiked meat causing her to collapse moments before entering the show ring.

A vet agreed she had been "tranquillised or sedated" and the Kennel Club has now launched an official inquiry.

Mr Evans, 44, and his wife Nancy had high hopes for Kerri in this year's open bitch category at the Birmingham show on Saturday. But they realised something was wrong seconds before 22-month-old Kerri's class was to start as she started shaking and wobbling.

"This is how competitive it is," said Mr Evans, of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. "Kerri was the top-winning bitch of last year. It's just jealousy at the end of the day. These incidents have happened in the breed before, and we're aware of what can go on." The owners have been on the receiving end of dirty tricks before - several years ago they were sent anonymous letter warning: "Watch your back."

Trevor Turner, the chief veterinary officer at Crufts who examined Kerri, said: "I understand she is normally quite a lively Dobermann. When I examined her I agreed with the owner. She certainly showed signs of having been tranquillised or sedated."

A spokesman for the Kennel Club said it would be "an absolute disgrace" if the animal had been drugged. Crufts spokesman Phil Buckley said drugging was "very rare" with one certified case at the show in the past 20 years.