The Kennel Club has revealed there is currently no evidence to suggest that any dog has been poisoned at Crufts following the sudden death of Irish setter Jagger last Friday.

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "Allegations about dogs being poisoned at Crufts are understandably distressing to dog owners and lovers, so we must make it absolutely clear that there is currently no evidence that any dog has been poisoned at Crufts.

"The facts surrounding Jagger's tragic death some 26 hours after leaving Crufts are still being established, and whilst there are suspicions about poisoning, the veterinary surgeon who carried out the post mortem has told the Kennel Club that she cannot comment on where, when and indeed if poisoning has taken place until the results of the toxicology report are available.  The Kennel Club is talking to and supporting the owner at this difficult time.

"Whilst reports surrounding the welfare of dogs at Crufts are taken with the utmost of seriousness a number of the reports in the news about dogs becoming sick after leaving the show have been from anonymous sources, who have not reported the allegations to us or the police, and we cannot look into claims about which we have no direct information. We urge these people and anybody else who may have similar concerns to come forward and report them to the Kennel Club at press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

"There have been  reports about a few dogs who were unwell whilst at the show who were taken to one of the show vets and we can confirm that the vets at Crufts established no connection between sickness and poisoning.

"Whilst there is a great deal of rumour and speculation and currently no evidence of any poisoning taking place at Crufts we are very clear that anyone caught attempting to deliberately sabotage another competitor's performance, particularly if a dog's welfare is put at risk, will face severe disciplinary action, which could include a ban on competing at all Kennel Club licensed events. Furthermore anyone who puts a dog's welfare at risk could face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act."

A second dog is reported to have died after appearing at Crufts, amid fears that at least six of the animals were deliberately poisoned at the world famous show.

The shih tzu is believed to have died over the weekend, just hours after the 'murder' of Irish setter Jagger. The three-year-old died on Friday after eating meat which his owners say was laced with poison.