Crufts Best in Show winner convicted of animal cruelty after keeping dogs 'bald, scabby and filthy'

With thousands of dogs from around the world in attendance, along with the likes of Claudia Winkleman and Clare Balding, Crufts 2026 took place over the weekend.

From viral videos of golden retrievers dancing to police dogs putting on a show, it all pretty much built up to the main event: Best in Show.

The show’s top honour came on Sunday (8 March) at the NEC in Birmingham, with four-year-old Bruin the Clumber spaniel beating out 18,000 dogs over the four days.

While this was a monumentous win for the breed, it’s also had a bit of backlash because of who the handler is.

Lee Cox, who won the title with Bruin, has a previous history of animal cruelty after being found over two decades ago to keep dogs ‘bald, scabby and filthy’.

Bruin, who is handled by Cox, picked up the top title. (PA)

He was convicted alongside Roger Stone as they were found to be keeping 10-year-old cocker spaniel Adam in terrible conditions in 2001.

A court was told that an inspector had observed dogs to be bald, scabby and filthy at Kaston Kennels in Somerset.

While neither of the men were banned from keeping dogs, they had to cough up £5,000 and were given a three year discharge with conditions.

Cox had reportedly claimed to have used medication prescribed for another animal to treat the cocker spaniel’s ear problem instead of taking it to the vet. Stone claimed in court that Adam’s ‘poor health’ had meant he was indoors for about five years.

The dog’s ear condition ended up meaning he had his inner ear surgically removed.

Inspector Jo Daniel said: "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."

Stone had said following the case: “We have nothing to say about the verdict, but we will continue keeping dogs."

There has not been any suggestion of wrongdoing by Cox since this conviction over 20 years ago.

There has not been any suggestion of wrongdoing by Cox since the conviction over 20 years ago. (Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images)

Bruin was the winner of the Gundog group earlier in the show before becoming the first Clumber spaniel to win best in show since 1991.

Cox said on Sunday: “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 just, he’s a dog of a lifetime, he really, really is. He’s very, very special. I absolutely adore him. And he adores me.”

A Royal Kennel Club spokesperson told LADbible: "We can confirm that in 2001, Mr Lee Cox, winner of the Crufts 2026 Best in Show award, was involved in a court case relating to a Cocker Spaniel who had a chronic ear infection. The Court issued a conditional discharge.

“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.”

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's national animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 from 8am to 5pm seven days a week, or visit their website for further advice.