Riddle of mouse show 'killing'

The world of pedigree mice has been rocked by scandal.

But officials at the National Mouse Club were today staying silent over reports of an incident in which one member was allegedly punched and his prize-winning rodent strangled.

The club - founded in the East End in 1895 to "promote the breeding and exhibition of fancy mice" - has a set of standards to rival Crufts in the dog world.

Now an unnamed member is being investigated by the club's committee after the incident at the Spring Cup Show at Snareshill near Wolverhampton. Various versions of what occurred at the meeting are circulating.

One claims a member got drunk and punched another member, Bob Chappell, a meat wholesaler from Shrewsbury, before strangling his awardwinning chocolate and tan mouse.

Mr Chappell confirmed his mouse had been found dead in its cage. He said: "It is true there was an incident involving another member who is being investigated, but that has nothing to do with the death of the mouse. That could have died from a heart attack or a number of other reasons."

But he added: "The altercation with the member was just the last straw which broke the camel's back after a string of incidents in which he has been involved."

Club secretary Brian Cookson refused to comment.