Crufts champion was convicted of animal cruelty for keeping ‘filthy’ dogs in kennel

A newly-crowned Crufts champion has a previous conviction for animal cruelty.

Lee Cox won the world’s biggest dog show’s Best in Show on Sunday as he led four-year-old Clumber spaniel Bruin around the venue in Birmingham.

Yet Cox was found to have kept ‘bald, scabby and filthy’ dogs at his kennel in Somerset more than two decades ago.

Cox was prosecuted by the animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, in 2001 over concerns about the state of Kaston Kennels, Mark.

The handler, then 29, was convicted of causing unnecessary damage to a black cocker spaniel named Adam.

Cox, alongside his business partner Roger Stone, received a three-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £5,000.

Neither man was banned from keeping dogs, it was reported at the time.

There has not been any suggestion of wrongdoing by Cox since this conviction, first revealed by The Independent.

Adam had suffered a chronic ear infection, leaving his ear covered in ulcers oozing pus, an inspector visiting the kennel found.

He had to have his inner ear amputated.

Cox used medication prescribed to another animal to treat Adam’s infection, rather than take him to the vet.

Inspector Jo Daniel said the kennel, which has since closed according to public records, reeked of dog waste and had overflowing drains.

Daniel said at the time: ‘To find a dog in Adam’s condition in a normal house would have been bad enough, but to find one in the care of two internationally renowned dog breeders was shocking.

‘The RSPCA prosecutes without fear or favour. Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, whoever commits it.’

Lee joined Vanitonia Show Kennel, also based in Somerset, in 1992.

The kennel’s about us page says Lee ‘stepped into the ring’ when he was four years old and became a Crufts winner aged 10.

He became a dog-show judge when he was 13.

After bagging the top prize with Bruin on Sunday, Cox said: ‘It’s just amazing, I mean, what can I say? I can’t believe it. Thank you so much.

‘It’s just wonderful for this breed. You know, it’s just a… for the first time in my life, I’m speechless.

He added: ‘He’s a dog of a lifetime, he really, really is. He’s very, very special. I absolutely adore him. And he adores me.’

Lee Cox has ‘unblemished record since this incident’

The Royal Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, confirmed Cox’s conviction.

The kennel club said: ‘Convictions involving animal welfare are always reviewed by the Royal Kennel Club and due reflection will be given to the way the courts treat such convictions.

‘In this case, an appropriate sanction was imposed by the Disciplinary Committee reflecting the court decision and did not warrant a disqualification. This was an isolated incident 25 years ago.

‘Mr Cox has had an unblemished record in the 25 years since this incident, making a significant positive contribution to the world of dogs.’

Animal rights groups have long expressed concerns over Crufts.

PETA saying that showdogs suffer health conditions due to breeding.

PETA told Metro: ‘Like every year, greed, cruelty, and ego are the only winners at Crufts, with 2026’s “Best in Show” winner again the biggest loser, genetically speaking.

‘A Clumber Spaniel was this year’s winner, even though the breed is known to face hip dysplasia, spinal issues (IVDD) and eyelid abnormalities.’

The RSPCA said that canines may struggle in tournament environments, which can often be noisy and involve a lot of travel.

The group’s scientific and policy manager for companion animals, Ashleigh Brown, told Metro: ‘We all want the best for animals, and their needs should always come first rather than our own entertainment.’

Lee Cox has been approached for comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.