Over at K-9 Magazine Ryan O'Meara has a provocative piece:
The BBC Will Continue to Broadcast Crufts
Imagine it.
Any day now, this is the headline you could be reading.
Of course, the alternative headline: The BBC Will Not Continue to Broadcast Crufts is also a possibility - as it stands the BBC is currently in the review process but as we know, Crufts is coming round in March and a decision will need to be reached very soon.
Ryan goes on to detail what has happened since Pedigree Dogs Exposed was first aired in August (read the whole thing) and then notes that the BBC has been less than transparent about how they are making their decision about continued sponsorship:
The BBC meanwhile have kept silent. They have constantly refused to answer questions about who it is that is advising them on the future of Crufts, what their qualifications are, what their backgrounds are, whether they have any links to the dog world or - more pertinently - the dog show world. This is highly unusual. Why would the BBC, a public funded body, feel it had the right to operate under a cloak of secrecy? Surely if it wants the public to accept its final decision on whether to continue to air Crufts with respect, it should be utterly transparent about what model it is using to assess the suitability of Crufts in its current form? . . . .
. . . . So now, let us imagine the headline of this feature is what you read tomorrow: The BBC Will Continue to Broadcast Crufts, how will you view that decision?
Does the BBC know more than the UK’s leading veterinary charity? Do they know more than the UK’s leading animal welfare charity? Do they know more than the UK’s leading dog charity? Do they know more than the UK’s leading dog warden association? Who knows! Because we’ve not been told who is actually advising them. A freedom of information request has been submitted to the corporation but still, no word.
Let us not forget the words of the Kennel Club’s own secretary Caroline Kisko who described the position of the BBC in relation to their continued broadcast of Crufts as “untenable”. Strong stuff.
So which way do you think it will go?
A quick thanks for all of your great information--I enjoy your blog and website! I have a German Jagdterrier that I do blood trailing, pointing, and retrieving with (the breed is just odd!) and I am very grateful for all your articles and well referenced pieces. I pulled him out of a bad situation where he was routinely hunted with a large pack of dogs (and attacked, roamed the neighborhood killing cats, etc.) I work him on a 20' light parachute cord to ensure his safety and my sanity. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMaggie Benedette-Smith & Ko @ maggiejbenedettesmith@hawaii.com
The dog forum I go to is starting up over this again now that the CBC is rebroadcasting it. A 'rebuttal' of the show was posted in which the person claims AR nuts are behind the show, basically, and that since all breeds are 'mutations' they're ALL in danger if 'health' clauses are written into standards. Kind of hysterical.
ReplyDeleteBut then, some of the things the person then goes on to say that more breeders should do to improve health, are pretty much in agreement with many things the show was saying, so I'm not sure if they're even really reacting to the show itself as much as to a preconcieved defensive response to it (which is what most show folks seem to have when they see it).
However they also and defend culling and habitual c-sections/nasal surgery for certain breeds. Basically, it just proves to me that there needs to be a third party authority getting these people to shape up, because they're incapable of seeing the mess they're in otherwise. It's really frustrating talking to them, too.
I hope they DO broadcast crufts--with commentary straight out of 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed'.
ReplyDelete(I made a longer post earlier but it didn't show up.)