PRESS OFFICER AT CRUFTS - Page 1

Please see below, my second reply from the BBC.  What do you all think...?

Thanks for your follow-up email about Pedigree Dogs Exposed. Please accept my most sincere apologies for the long delay in replying, this is most unfortunate and regrettable.

Your concerns were passed to the producer who responded as follows:

 We conducted many interviews for the film - both on screen and off-screen - and we spoke to dozens of dog breeders and many representatives of breed clubs / societies and breed councils.

As part of the research process we did indeed talk to Malcolm Willis as well as several other geneticists, including the KC's Jeff Sampson, canine geneticist David Sargan (Cambridge University) and Professor David Balding at Imperial College who last year conducted a key report into the population structure of pedigree dogs.

Professor Steve Jones is one of the world's foremost geneticists and his work is by no means confined to studying man. He is well-versed on the breeding of dogs. Additionally, as Professor Jones often points out: "The beauty of genetics is that it is the grammar of biology - its rules apply equally to almost every living thing, from plants to elephants." Indeed, the principles of genetics were first discovered by Gregor Mendel, who did his work on peas. Professor Jones is also a skilled communicator - an important consideration for television.

The RSPCA was just one of many expert groups interviewed in the film and their position as the largest animal welfare charity in the world, with a special interest in the issues explored in Pedigree Dogs Exposed, fully justified their inclusion in the film.

Finally, the film clearly supported mandatory health tests - and, indeed, took the Kennel Club to task for not making health testing a condition of registration. As such, the film-makers fully support the GSD Breed Council's campaign.

 I hope this helps allay your concerns, but please be aware that if you wish to pursue this complaint further, you can contact the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit who will independently investigate your complaint. You can write to them at the following address:

Editorial Complaints Unit

BBC, Room 5168

White City

201 Wood Lane

London

W12 7TS

Alternatively you can email the Unit at the address: ecu@bbc.co.uk

Please note that any complaints submitted via email must include your postal address as all responses will continue to be issued via letter.

Whether or not you choose to pursue your complaint with the ECU please be assured we have taken on board your concerns about this programme.

Yours sincerely

David Larner

Complaints Co-ordinator

BBC Information

bbc.co.uk/complaints