BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The annual Crufts dog show in Britain will not be aired on the BBC next year due to concerns regarding dog breeds tied to genetic disease, a source says.
An unidentified source said the British broadcaster had considered permanently dropping all TV coverage of the Birmingham event over the breeding controversy, but chose to simply cancel coverage of its four-day show March 5-8, 2009, in Birmingham, The Times of London reported Saturday.
But the source warned the one-time ban could become permanent if Crufts officials, who previously refused to drop 12 breeds tied to inherited genetic disease from their program, do not take action.
"Dropping it is very much on the agenda if they do not rectify the problems," the source said.
The Times said the BBC's move against the prestigious dog show comes after both the Pedigree pet food company and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals withdrew their support.
