If you were watching Crufts last night, you'll be aware that the most famous dog show on the planet came to a rather strange ending.

Moments after the winner of 'Best in Show' had been announced (the Whippet won, FYI), a number of stage invaders broke through the barrier and ran across the floor brandishing signs - giving both the dogs and their handlers quite a fright.

The offenders were rugby-tackled to the ground by a number of security guards before they could do any damage, but it put a bit of a dampener on what was the pinnacle of the entire competition.

As it happens, Crufts later released a statement saying that it was protesters from animal rights organisation PETA who were responsible, saying: “It appears that protestors from PETA gained unauthorised access to the ring in the main arena at Crufts, and in doing so scared the dogs and put the safety of both dogs and people at risk in a hugely irresponsible way.

"Our main priority at the moment is the wellbeing of the dogs that were in the ring, who are being looked after by their owners and show officials. The NEC Group have extensive security procedures in place at Crufts and we, along with the NEC Group, will be reviewing what happened as a matter of urgency.”

Watch it below: