Crufts winner caused suffering to dogs

An elderly female dog breeder has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to three hounds found in a "skeletal" condition.

The two bitches and a dog were among 70 borzois, also known as Russian wolfhounds, being kept by Margaret Manning when RSPCA inspectors called.

Manning, 66, from Halden Drive, Clapham, near Exeter, Devon, who denied the three offences, was conditionally discharged for three years by Honiton magistrates.

The one-time Crufts winner had earlier told the court that two of the dogs had been "planted" on her by a woman who had left them with before the RSPCA visit.

The world of borzois and the world of showing is a very vindictive business

Margaret Manning

A deprivation order was made by the court to enable the three dogs to remain in the care of the RSPCA.

Manning was disqualified by the court from keeping in excess of 15 dogs for a five-year period.

The defendant, who has bred borzois for 30 years, currently has 27 animals.

The spinster was also ordered to pay £260 court costs, and was warned by bench chairman Helen Lancaster about interjections she made during the hearing.

When magistrates went out to consider the case, Manning said: "Heil Hitler, that is what this is."

After the hearing, Manning left court without making any comment.

Bite injury

Inspector Stephen Roach of the RSPCA went to the kennels last summer and told the court the three borzois had been removed for treatment.

He said one was skeletal, with the outline of bones visible and her backbone very prominent. The other two were also skeletal with very little muscle cover.

Mr Roach said: "All three dogs stuck out like a sore thumb. One had a bite injury to the mouth with dried newspaper stuck to it."

Vet Faye Gale, called out by the RSPCA, said veterinary advice should have been sought for the animals.

'Plant' claim

She told the court: "In my opinion, to be that emaciated they would have been suffering."

Manning said she did not call a vet to the dogs because she believed the diet she had drawn up for them was helping them recover.

She told the court two of the dogs had been "planted" on her by a woman who had left them with her for a week five days before the RSPCA visited her.

She told the court: "The world of borzois and the world of showing is a very vindictive business."