Irish Setter “poisoned” in Belgium, not at Crufts

The Irish Setter who died after competing at Crufts was “poisoned” in Belgium, a toxicology report has revealed.

Insecticides

Thendara Satisfaction (Jagger) passed away at his home in Belgium on Friday 6 March after competing at Crufts the day before. His owners believed he had been poisoned while at the Birmingham show.

However, the toxicology report found the dog was poisoned with insecticides, which take effect within a few hours.

According to Nick Edwards, senior information scientist at the veterinary poisons information service, it is “improbable” the toxins were ingested on Thursday 5March, while the dog was at Crufts, if the first clinical effects were seen more than 24 hours later.

‘Rapid onset’

“We understand that the toxicology report says carbofuran and aldicarb, toxic carbamate pesticides – which are no longer approved for use in the EU – were found,” he said.

“We would expect the clinical effects, if ingested by a dog, to be rapid in onset – normally between half an hour and three hours.”

Furthermore, the beef which was reportedly poisoned with the pesticides was still in Jagger’s stomach during the autopsy on Saturday 7March.

“Veterinary experts say that one would expect food of this sort to be digested within about six hours,” explained Nick. “This suggests that the food was eaten shortly before death.”

Reassure dog lovers

The Kennel Club has released a statement offering its “deepest sympathies” to Jagger’s owners, and explaining it is “inconceivable” the dog could have been poisoned at their show.

“There has been a lot of concern about whether the poisoning happened at Crufts and we are now able to reassure all dog lovers who came to Crufts that this could not have been possible and it is highly likely that the poisons, thought to be on a piece of beef, were eaten in Belgium, shortly before Jagger’s death,” said Caroline Kisko, chair of the Kennel Club.

The club has produced a leaflet to raise awareness among dog owners about the dangers of poisoning and to offer advice.