This year’s Crufts Best in Show winner Lee Cox was convicted of animal cruelty over 20 years ago, with angry dog owners speaking out following his win
This year’s Crufts Best in Show winner, Lee Cox, was convicted of animal cruelty for keeping a cocker spaniel in terrible conditions. Lee triumphed at the annual event but it has now been revealed he was convicted over 20 years ago.
Back in 2001, Cox and Roger Stone were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a retired stud dog. They were given a three year discharge with conditions and also told to pay £5,000 costs towards the prosecution.
In court, it was heard how an inspector had arrived at Kaston Kennels at Mark, Somerset, where they said lots of dogs appeared to be bald and scabby, and some dogs were filthy.
Cox won Best In Show at Crufts this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Cox told how he had not taken the spaniel to the vet and instead used medication prescribed for another animal to treat the dog’s ear problem, The Sun reports. Stone said he had not seen the pet for five years because “his poor health had kept him indoors”. After the case, Stone said: “We have nothing to say about the verdict, but we will continue keeping dogs.”
Inspector Jo Daniel, who visited the property, said: “To find a dog in Adam’s condition in a normal house would have been bad enough, but to find one in the care of two internationally renowned dog breeders was shocking. The RSPCA prosecutes without fear or favour. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, whoever commits it.”
Cox won Best In Show this year with his four-year-old Clumber spaniel called Bruin. Speaking about his win, he said: “I can’t believe it. It’s just wonderful for this breed. He’s the dog of a lifetime. He’s really, really special.”
A Royal Kennel Club spokesperson said: “We can confirm that in 2001, Mr Lee Cox, winner of the Crufts 2026 Best in Show award, was involved in a court case relating to a Cocker Spaniel who had a chronic ear infection.
“The Court issued a conditional discharge. Convictions involving animal welfare are always reviewed by the Royal Kennel Club, and due reflection will be given to the way the courts treat such convictions.
“In this case, an appropriate sanction was imposed by the Disciplinary Committee reflecting the court decision and did not warrant a disqualification. This was an isolated incident 25 years ago. Mr Cox has had an unblemished record in the 25 years since this incident, making a significant positive contribution to the world of dogs.”
Angry fans of the dog show have fumed over his inclusion, with one writing: “Anyone convicted of cruelty to animals should be nowhere near animals again. Let alone given a prize for one.”
