London ( CNN ) An investigation is underway after a canine competitor died the day after taking part in Crufts , one of the world 's most prestigious dog shows . An autopsy indicates he was poisoned . Three-year-old Irish setter Thendara Satisfaction -- known to his owners as Jagger -- took second prize in his class at the event in Birmingham , central England , on Thursday . But just a day later , after returning home to Belgium , he became ill. Owner-breeder Dee Milligan-Bott told CNN Jagger was `` finding it hard to breathe '' so a veterinarian was called , but the dog died before he could get there . `` The vet thought it was suspicious , so carried out an autopsy , '' she said . `` They found cubes of beef in his stomach that had at least two types of poison inside . Pieces of beef had been stitched together so that the poison did n't come out . `` He had enough in his system to kill a horse , according to the vet , '' said Milligan-Bott , who is at a loss to explain why Jagger was targeted : `` We ca n't fathom why anyone would do this . '' `` I 've been doing this for 30-odd years and I think I would have to give up on everything if I believed that someone who shows and breeds dogs would kill a dog . We all do this because we love dogs . If you hate me for being successful , then stick a brick through my window or something . But why would you involve a dog ? '' Toxicology tests are being carried out . The vet has reported the dog 's death to Belgian police , and Milligan-Bott said she would likely contact West Midlands Police in the UK too . A spokesperson for the Kennel Club , organizers of the Crufts dog show , said there had never been such an incident in the history of the competition , which dates back to 1891 . `` We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jagger 's owners , '' said Caroline Kisko , secretary of the Kennel Club , in a statement . `` We understand that a toxicology report is due next week and that this matter has been reported to the police - we will work with them and help however we can . '' Television personality and writer Clare Balding , who hosts TV coverage of Crufts in the UK , took to Twitter to express her shock at the news : `` Everyone at # Crufts2015 horrified at death of Irish Setter Jagger & post-mortem found poison . Awful for all concerned , '' she tweeted .
Three-year-old Irish setter Jagger died suddenly after competing at Crufts dog show . An autopsy revealed poison sewn into cubes of beef in his stomach . `` We ca n't fathom why anyone would do this , '' owner-breeder Dee Milligan-Bott tells CNN .