Frisbee catching dropped from Keswick Scruffs dog show
Frisbee catching has been dropped from a Cumbrian dog show after health and safety advice suggested canine competitors could get hurt.
The forthcoming Scruffs dog show in Keswick had included a prize for the highest frisbee jump as well as for the highest biscuit catch.
But amid fears dogs could injure themselves, organisers opted to scrap the category from its 22 June event.
An award for the dog with the most appealing eyebrows remains.
One of the show's organisers, town councillor Tony Lywood, said the event aimed to capitalise on Keswick twice being named by the Kennel Club as the country's most dog-friendly town.
He 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's 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."
The Kennel Club said it endorsed the show's decision.
A spokeswoman 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."
Mr Lywood, whose own pet collie Monty was favourite to win the frisbee category, said it was hoped Scruffs could become an annual event.
Other categories in the show include, dog with the waggiest tail, dog with the longest tongue and the dog that most looks like its owner.