Poley inappropriate? Vet’s shock after Kennel Club ban dance routine
Avet has spoken of her shock after a pole-dancing routine performed with her pet dog was banned by the Kennel Club.
Rebecca Kennedy was looking forward to unveiling her new routine combining dance, theatre and dog training with Izzy, her Border Collie.
The pair, dressed as burglars and soundtracked by the Pink Panther theme tune, synchronise their moves as Rebecca performs on the pole and Izzy jumps through her outstretched arms.
But now Rebecca has been told she cannot perform her routine at a fundraising gala to help Scotland’s dog-training Heelwork to Music team get to the European Championships. The 25-year-old vet from Glasgow has been banned from performing and warned she faced a £300 fine.
“I was so shocked,” said Rebecca. “I want to enter competitions but now I don’t know if I will get fined.” Rebecca has been pole dancing for six years and was an instructor at university. After her dance partner moved away she decided to combine her two favourite things – pole dancing and dog training. She said: “I have had a very positive reaction. Izzy absolutely loves it. “When we are getting ready to train she starts jumping all over me.”
Rebecca and Izzy competed in their first show in June last year. They performed a Lion King routine at the Bearded Collie Heelwork to Music competition – where people dance to music along with their dog – in Lanark.
“After the performance a judge came up to me and told me there were some banned moves but that there was not a problem with me using the pole,” said Rebecca.
She then received an email from the Kennel Club which told her she was prohibited from taking part as the routine was “merely a circus act and not a serious canine activity”. Pole dancing was also deemed “not suitable for a family audience”.
But Rebecca said: “There is nothing sexual about my routine. I was wearing modest clothing and I’m very aware of my angles and what part of my body I’m showing to the audience.
“I make sure I manoeuvre myself in a tasteful way. The sport is not just from strip clubs – it’s also known as Chinese pole.
“The event was a fundraiser to help Team Scotland go to the championships.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and they’re hoping for it to become an Olympic sport.
“I told the Kennel Club this but I have had no response.”
A Kennel Club spokesman confirmed Rebecca had been contacted about a “regulation breach” but declined to comment further.
Pictures
‘
I make sure I manoeuvre myself in a tasteful way. It’s pole dancing but you can also call it vertical bar dancing. It’s also known as Chinese pole. It’s not just from strip clubs