Frisbee catching dropped from dog show over health and safety fears

Frisbee catching has been dropped from a Cumbrian dog show after health and safety advice suggested canine competitors could get hurt. The team behind the new event – Keswick Scruffs – had come up with 25 sections to put performing pooches and owners through their paces. But two of the classes have had to be changed or scrapped after being deemed too dangerous for the dogs taking part.

Organisers have been advised that a biscuit-catching category can only run if the dogs are sitting down while competing. They’ve also had to drop a frisbee catching round in case an animal hurts its back. The show has been organised by members of Keswick town council, who hope it will become an annual event in Fitz Park. One of the people behind it is councillor and sandwich shop owner Tony Lywood, who was shocked at the advice.



He said: “I think that when you think about the idea of health and safety with dogs, one has to wonder where such a thing would stop. I don’t think this is ridiculous – I just think that it is bizarre.” Tony owns an 18-month-old border collie called Monty who he describes as a “brilliant” frisbee catcher. Tony added that he believes the concern comes from events at another dog show. He has heard that an entrant injured its back and its owners then held the contest’s organisers liable.

Contests which will go ahead at the event, which takes place on Sunday, June 22, include best howling performance, longest tongue and ‘waggiest’ tail. An overall winner will also be declared. A spokeswoman for The Kennel Club said: “The Kennel Club encourages fun sports and activities for dogs in order to keep them fit and healthy – but it has concerns about the game of frisbee, particularly in its more extreme forms. While it can be safe in controlled conditions, if it is thrown at great heights or awkward angles, leading the dog to jump and twist, it can cause strain and injury on landing so care should always be taken.”