Crufts judge forced out for experiments on beagles
A JUDGE at Crufts has been forced to step down after it was revealed he was once involved with scientific experiments on beagles.
Ron James had been selected as one of the elite panel choosing the Best In Show champion at tonight’s finale of the world’s biggest dog show. But two weeks ago, the vet and expert beagle breeder was told to stand aside.
The Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, gave no explanation for his sudden removal.
But now The Mail on Sunday has learned that Dr James, 70, used to work at animal testing centre Huntingdon Life Sciences where he published four scientific papers based on experiments on beagles. In one study, chemicals were fed to the dogs to observe any sideeffects, while another experiment involved taking tissue samples from a beagle’s testes.
One dog-lover attending Crufts voiced horror over the revelations, saying: ‘ I’m shocked and disappointed, it’s just so backwards. We must take responsibility for protecting dogs – they’re sentient beings, not property.’
Dr James’s departure is further embarrassment for Crufts, coming a week after t his newspaper revealed another judge had to stand down amid allegations of fraud.
Kathryn Begg, an expert on Bolognese toy dogs, quit following claims made by a former business partner. Her replacement, Howard Ogden, is a lawyer who had once defended Fred West before being sacked by the serial killer.
Dr James – who worked in the controversial Cambridgeshire lab from the late 1970s until 1990 – told The Mail on Sunday last night: ‘I stepped down because I was asked to step down, but this is a matter between me and the Kennel Club.’
A spokesman for the Kennel Club said: ‘Dr Ron James worked as a veterinary consultant and adviser at various biomedical companies, where his responsibility was to ensure that animal welfare standards were maintained.
‘Due to privacy and data issues no further details around the Best In Show appointment decision can be given.
‘We wish to make it entirely clear that the Kennel Club is against animal testing, and actively supports groups that try to find ways to replace animals in testing wherever possible.’
The Crufts champion will be announced at the NEC in Birmingham tonight. Clare Balding will host live coverage on Channel 4 from 7pm.