Organisers of the annual Scruffs dog show in Keswick, Cumbria took the decision to remove 'highest frisbee catch' from its line-up of events due to health and safety concerns.
There were also fears for the 'highest biscuit catcher' event, however this was turned into a sitting down event and went ahead, alongside other events such as the 'dog with the most appealing eyebrows'.
Tony Lywood, a town councillor and one of the show's organisers, said: "A couple of members of our organising committee, who have experience of larger scale dog shows, suggested there may be risks to dogs that jump high to catch frisbees.
"We did some due diligence and reluctantly agreed that we should scrap the frisbee category and amend the biscuit catching category so that the dogs are sitting down. It is a strange and bizarre decision to make, but one which I suppose we had to make if there is a risk that animals could get hurt."
He added: "In shows elsewhere, there have been occasions where dogs have jumped high and twisted their back, and there was one where the dog had to be put down."
The Kennel Club, the country's biggest charity devoted to protecting the welfare of dogs, has twice previously named Keswick as the most dog friendly town in the UK.
A spokesman backed the decision of the show's organisers. "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."
Editor's note
We must have missed the amendment that said animals were covered under safety legislation...!
