Ruff justice

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Aug 4, 1996 | by GAVAN NADEN

Picture the scene. Nervous owners; a gleaming cup; tension rising in the ring as the judges decide which dog has won the Supreme Champion title; a muffled yelp as a one-eared mongrel playfully sinks its teeth into a passing leg . . . mongrel? Teeth?

'Fraid so. Crufts this ain't. Welcome to its noisier, jollier and terribly-behaved antithesis - Scruffts dog show.

As the name suggests, this RSPCA-run contest is for those lovable, lopsided, scratching mutts of doubtful parentage which the vast majority of us own. The ones top breeders don't recommend.

For the last few months, regional heats for such breeding must- haves as the Waggiest Tail have been held in villages across the country for next week's grand final.

One of those hundreds of hopefuls was Giggs. Named after Ryan, this one dribbles too, but has been banned from local football games in Chelmsford, Essex, after making off with the ball.

"We had to rugby tackle him to get it back," admits owner Tracey Ashdown. But no matter. On the big day, a couple of weeks ago, Giggs was up for Best Six Legs, Waggiest Tail and the main event, regional Scruffts champion.

The morning tension in the Ashdown family - husband Paul and kids, Sarah and Thomas - was electric. Giggs' behaviour was under the spotlight, the culmination of weeks of care and training as the former abandoned pup sauntered downstairs to pick up the morning paper. So far, so good.

Sadly it wasn't to last. He ate the paper. And before anyone could catch him he raced into the garden and tore the ears off a toy rabbit.

"He likes eating leather and lino too," says Paul, sadly recalling one particular pair of new boots.

The verdict was that Giggs needed to work off some excess energy. So with just an hour to go before he was due on parade, the Ashdowns let him loose in the park.

But once off the lead, Giggs headed straight for the river and dived into the murky creek. A passing child belted him on the nose and he staggered from the water, ready for all comers. With just minutes to spare, Giggs was rounded up, brushed to little effect and dragged into Chelmsford Central Park, as the contestants for the Best Six Legs walked out.

Sadly, he failed to make it to the top 10, and Giggs returned crestfallen, luckily cheering up before the Waggiest Tail competition.

It looked like it was going to be a bad hair day. Giggs came in sixth place. But next was the final - Giggs's big chance.

The judges slowly made their way along the line of mutts, looking for signs of intelligence. Amazingly, Giggs was in with a chance. Paul could hardly contain himself. "This is unbelievable," he howled. The fourth and third were called out, and still Giggs hung on. "There's got to be some mistake. Maybe they've forgotten him," yelled Paul. But no, there was no mistake. Giggs came second. Paul punched the air. "Yes! We've got the second scruffiest dog in Essex!"

Scruffts Finals are on Sunday, August 11, at Millbrook Animal Centre, Chobham, Surrey.