Four murder theories . . .

A JEALOUS RIVAL: Dog shows are notoriously competitive. But while there have been rumours of ‘nobbling’ by slipping laxatives into food, sticking chewing gum in a well-groomed coat or snipping off fur, it seems staggering that someone could go so far as to kill a fellow competitor’s prize dog.

ANTI-FOREIGN FEELING: There has been growing controversy over the number of overseas dogs allowed in to Crufts. This year there were nearly 3,000 entrants from abroad, prompting complaints from some owners who say it is a British event.

A DOG HATER: Co-owner Dee Milligan-Bott believes the poisoning of Jagger could have been the work of a ‘random psychopath’. She said: ‘Crufts is a high-profile event and we live in a very anti-dog society.’

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS: Animal rights group Peta branded Crufts a ‘parade of freaks’ last year, claiming the dogs that compete suffer health problems because of their pedigree breeding. There is no suggestion Peta is in any way linked to Jagger’s death and it would seem strange for an activist to target a dog rather than its owner.