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Two men have been arrested in Saudi Arabia for trying to organise a beauty contest for dogs.

The pair had been planning a show which would find the most beautiful dog in Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea coast.

According to local media, three awards had already been dished out in the competition’s early stages.

The main event, advertised heavily on social media, was due to be held tomorrow to coincide with the Eid festival.

However, Saudi paper Sabq reported the men had been arrested by police for dog “pageantry”.

Authorities in the Emirate of Mecca and Medina said on Twitter: "The Jeddah municipality assures that it will not allow such an event to be held.

“Legal procedures and punishments will be taken against the organisers.”

The kingdom has a troubled history with canines, which are seen by some Muslims as unclean animals.

In 2008, Saudis were even banned from selling dogs or cats as pets in the capital of Riyadh, while owners were barred from walking them in public in a bid to curb flirtatious behaviour by male owners.