A-PAW-ling behavior: FEMAIL reveals the WILDEST scandals to rock the famed Westminster Dog Show – from PETA protests and sexism allegations to POISONING plot that saw eight pups killed
- The Westminster Dog Show is the most prestigious pooch competition
- It sees over 2,000,000 viewers tune in each year to watch the pampered pups
- However, it has faced its fair share of scandal – including on-stage protests
The Westminster Dog Show has been showing furry friends wag their tails since 1877, but the beloved pup contest hasn’t always delighted viewers as it has been revealed it has a sinister past.
Every year over 2,000,000 viewers tune in to the dog show to watch the pampered pooches battle to be the top dog.
And while the event – which took place May 8 through May 9 and crowned a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéenhas as Best In Show last night – long been known as a friendly and family affair, it has faced its fair share of controversy.
From poisoned dogs to on-stage protests, FEMAIL reveals the most sensational scandalous to rock the most prestigious dog show.
‘The motive is jealousy’: EIGHT dogs are poisoned and tragically die the morning of the 1895 competition
In 1895, tragedy struck when eight top dogs were poisoned the morning before the competition (the 1933 Westminster Dog Show pictured)
In 1895, tragedy struck when eight top dogs were poisoned the morning before the competition.
According to The New York Times, the toy dogs – Yorkshire Terriers, Japanese Chins, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – were all victims of foul play.
Sadly, all the eight pups died as a result.
The dogs belonged to Mrs. F. Senn.
Their deaths sent waves crashing through the dog show world, with the Times claiming ‘jealousy’ was the motive.
They were on exhibition in the net dog row and were allegedly killed due to a grudge against the owner.
The vet who attempted to save the dogs’ lives revealed the pooches had been given strychnine, an extremely strong and odorless poison.
The person responsible was never found.
‘Mutts Rule’: In 2010, two PETA members stormed on stage and protested the dog show rules that state only purebreds can win
In 2010, frustrations grew to an all-time high when members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization stormed on stage
Westminster has long been criticized for only allowing purebreds to compete for the finest pooch.
And, in 2010, those frustrations grew to an all-time high when two members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization stormed on stage.
Right before the winner for Best in Show was crowned, Dana Sylvester and Hope Round walked onto the ring holding signs that read, ‘Mutts rule’ and ‘Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs’ Chances.’
They were swiftly taken off stage by multiple security guards.
According to Associated Press, both Dana and Hope were charged with criminal trespassing.
PETA noted that the women had acted on their own account, but that the organization stood by their actions.
Throughout the years, PETA has held multiple protests outside the Madison Square Garden, which is where
PETA has held a number of protests outside Madison Square Garden during the Westminster Dog Show through the years.
On its website, the organization states: ‘Dog pageants promote dog breeding and drive interest in “purebreds” while animal shelters are overflowing with both mutts and purebred dogs whose lives literally depend on getting a second chance for a home.’
After igniting fierce criticism, Westminster decided to allow mixed breeds in the competition for the first time in over 100 years.
In 2014, the dog show made the decision to let mutts compete in the agility trial, however, they can not be a part of the Best in Show competition.
‘Show me an ad with a dog with a smile’: Westminster dumps longtime sponsor Pedigree for airing a commercial of an bused pup
After 24 years Westminster cut ties with longtime sponsor Pedigree after it aired a commercial of an abused shelter pup (pictured)
For 24 years, Westminster and Pedigree had worked together.
But in 2021, the prestigious dog show cut ties with the food company after it aired a commercial of an abused shelter pup.
And because Westminster wants to portray pampered purebreds, the commercial didn’t fly.
‘Show me an ad with a dog with a smile, don’t try to shame me. We told them that, and they ignored us,’ Westminster’s veteran host David Frei explained to The Associated Press.
He told The New York Times: ‘We want people to think of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as a celebration of the dogs in our lives.’
Westminster replaced the Pedigree ads, which depicted homeless pets, with Nestlé Purina PetCare commercials, which showed happy pups jumping around.
And while Westminster may not have agreed with the dog food company, Pedigree revealed to The Times that it received $500,000 in donations after its ads aired during the dog show.
‘Dog shows have been plagued’: In 2013, yet another dog was poisoned, prompting his owner to suspect foul play
In 2013, a dog known as Cruz died just days after competing in the prestigious dog show, causing the owner to suspect foul play
In 2013, yet another dog died just days after competing in the prestigious dog show, causing the owner to suspect foul play.
Samoyed pup Cruz died from rodent poisoning.
The veterinarian that treated the fluffy dog, Molly Comiskey, said it seemed like he had ingested it.
She told The New York Times: ‘Dogs are dogs. It’s not anyone’s fault. They eat stuff, they get into things, they make bad decisions.’
However, Cruz’s handler, Robert Chaffin, said he never took his eyes off the dog.
Claiming he even flew his dog commercial to New York.
Robert claimed extreme animal-rights activists were behind Cruz’s poisoning, according to the outlet.
He said: ‘Unfortunately, dog shows have been plagued by some of these people for years. I’ve heard horror stories about other people’s dogs having their setups tampered with, being poisoned, but I never thought it would come to me.
However, Ingrid Newkirk, the president and founder of (PETA), fiercely denied his claims, adding that the organization didn’t have anything to do with his death.
She told The Times: ‘PETA does not sanction that. It’s so scurrilous, it’s so low to even suggest it.’
‘We are not a law enforcement agency and not responsible for all breeders’: AKC said they were not to blame for the abuse of many dogs after multiple members tied to the organization were arrested for animal cruelty in 2013
Members of the American Kennel Club – the registry of purebred dog pedigrees – were arrested for animal cruelty in 2013
Members of the American Kennel Club – the registry of purebred dog pedigrees – were arrested for animal cruelty in 2013.
According to a report from The New York Times, multiple people who had been registered were suspected by the organization.
One owner, Mike Chilinksi, was arrested after cops discovered 161 ‘severely malnourished Malamutes living off their own feces in small cages,’ reported the outlet.
Police told The Times they also saw dead dogs ‘stacked outside small kennels.’
However, AKC pushed any blame away from them.
The communications director at the time, Lisa Peterson, told the outlet that the organization had previously sent inspectors to Mike’s home, however, found no indication of animal abuse in 2008 and 2009.
Mike had about 60 dogs at the time.
Lisa said AKC was ‘proactive in ferreting out animal abuse. ‘
She added: ‘We are not a law enforcement agency and not responsible for all breeders.’
However, Ed Sayres, the president and chief executive of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, noted that many of the commercial breeders that were charged with animal abuse had been members of AKC.
No noises allowed! In 2016, a previous winner was escorted out of the show for barking
A beagle named Uno stole the hearts of dog lovers in 2008 when he won Best In Show at the Westminster dog show
However, just eight years later, Uno – who was the first dog to be invited to the White House – was escorted out of Madison Square Garden during the 2016 show after barking
A beagle named Uno stole the hearts of dog lovers in 2008 when he won Best In Show at the Westminster dog show.
However, just eight years later, Uno – who was the first dog to be invited to the White House – was escorted out of Madison Square Garden during the 2016 show.
According to The Associated Press, Uno was supposed to be shown in an opening segment prior to the start of the segment.
However, when Uno began barking, Westminster officials claimed he wasn’t registered to be in the stadium and had the beagle removed.
Fans were furious as they had to sit and watch the ‘most popular winner’ be escorted out.
Later, an NBC Sports spokesman branded it ‘a misunderstanding’.
A disadvantage for females? In 2018, a report claimed male dogs are more likely to win than female dogs
In 2018, dog lovers questioned if female pups that were competing for the top dog were at a disadvantage (a female pup known as Rumor in 2016 after winning Best in Show)
In 2018, dog lovers questioned if female pups that were competing for the top dog were at a disadvantage.
A Reuters report found that male pooches had won 71 times, while female dogs had only taken home the prize 39 times.
However, professional breeders had a reason for the disparity.
Kimberly Calvacca told the outlet that it is most likely because a dog’s prime competition age, which is from three to five years old, is a female dog’s peak breeding age.
She also chalked it up to female dogs’ coats, adding that when female dogs are in the heat for too long, they become agitated and shed their coat, which puts them at a disadvantage for competition.
Kimberley said for those reasons, many people would rather enter a male pooch.
‘The problem with the naturals is that you don’t go to Westminster expecting to win’: In 2018, Breeders turned to docking the tails of their pups after it was revealed they are less likely to win with floppy ears
According to multiple breeders, dogs who sport their natural floppy ears and long tails are less likely to win (a dog with a docked tail and ears shown during the 2016 show)
Docking dogs’ tails and ears is the removal of all or part of their tail and ears for cosmetic purposes – and while it’s banned in the UK and Australia, US breeders claimed they had no choice because their pups are at a disadvantage if they don’t
According to multiple breeders, dogs who sport their natural floppy ears and long tails are less likely to win.
New York Breeder Teresa La Brie, who presented a Great Dane with natural ears to Westminster in 2018, told The Washington Post: ‘The problem with the naturals is that you don’t go to Westminster expecting to win
‘The judge didn’t give me even a sideways glance. I go to show the audience, the public, to say, “Yes, you can have natural ears.”‘
The vice president of the American Rottweiler Club, Jeff Shaver, emphasized the idea that natural dogs are at a disadvantage.
He told the Post: ‘It’s worse in some breeds than others. When the first Rottweiler with a tail showed in 2006 back in Florida, there was almost a riot. People were crazy — cursing, yelling, screaming, all kinds of threats. It was ridiculous. There were Facebook wars. Friendships ended over it.’
A conflict of interest raises questions and sparks anger in 2019 after it was revealed a judge co-owned a fan-favorite dog 2019
In 2019, it was revealed there was a conflict of interest with Colton the Schipperke
In 2019, it was revealed there was a conflict of interest with one of the dogs.
Colton the Schipperke had stolen the hearts of fans, and it seemed as though he was set to win.
However, the partner of Paul Green, a top judge, had co-owned the pup, according to WUSA9.
The day after Colton became the very first Schipperke to win the nonsporting group and move on to the finals, Paul excused him.
Colton’s owner Christa Cook told the outlet: ‘”This doesn’t negate all he’s done here. It’s been a great experience, his accomplishment is in the book forever.
‘A Schipperke may never, never win this group again. And we did it.’
Justice for the petite pups! Fans become FURIOUS when a Dachshund doesn’t take home the prize in 2019
An adorable Dachshund named Burns became a hit among fans in 2019, however when he didn’t win despite his proud prance, viewers were furious
An adorable Dachshund became a hit among fans in 2019, however, when he didn’t win despite his proud prance, viewers were furious.
People were outraged when the small pup named Burns lost to King, the 15th wire fox terrier to win the competition.
While Dachshunds have won Best of Group 11 times, they have never taken home Best In Show.
Fans were angered that the dog’s small stature was affecting its chances of winning.
The vice president of the Dachshund Club of America, Walter Jones, told The Times: ‘I think one of the reasons some breeds don’t make it to the end is that they just aren’t the glamour breeds who are so flashy in the group.
‘Dachshunds compete against many larger breeds in the hound group that are simply more impressive.’
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