Breeder shows too much mouth at dog show

A New Zealand dog breeder is appealing the suspension handed down for belittling the winner at a show.

The Dominion Post reports that Mary Phillips is taking her fight all the way to the country's High Court. Phillips is a breeder of Pekingese and the owner of Beaulaines Kennels in Greytown.

Phillips was reportedly upset when one of her dogs lost out to one she thought was limping and consoled herself and her Peke by telling the dog, "Come along, see if you can move your back legs like that and slip your patellas (kneebones) like that and win."

She was overheard, and the judge demanded action.

The Kennel Club imposed a three-year suspension with her dogs losing their registration for the same period plus a fine. The suspension was later reduced to a year.

Now, Phillips is asking the High Court in Wellington to rule that the Kennel Club had no right to impose a penalty, especially such a stiff one.

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