A whistleblower who triggered the controversy over pedigree dog breeding on television admitted last night that she had been “beaten” by the traditionalists in the dog world.

Margaret Carter, who highlighted a genetic condition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels known as syringomyelia — where their skulls are too small for their brains — is to sever her links with the breed club.

She was ousted from the committee of the 80-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club last October for collaborating with the controversial BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. She had disclosed that a pedigree dog, Champion Beauella Radzinski, had been used to sire 25 puppies, even though he was suffering from the condition, a breach of the club's rules. But she was urged to seek re-election to the committee as grassroots members inundated her with messages of support.

Events of the past week, however, have uncovered further twists and turns in the world of pedigree breeders and show dog owners.

Mrs Carter had hoped to be voted back on by a majority of rank-and-file Cavalier King Charles pet owners, but when closing dates for nominations were received last week she found she was elected unopposed.

However, her return to the committee was unacceptable to the club's senior officers. The chairman, Lesley Jupp, vice-chairman, Sheena Maclaine, and secretary, Annette Jones, announced their decision to resign their posts at the club's annual general meeting in March.

Mrs Carter told The Times yesterday: “My only interest was to improve the health of the dogs and it has never been my intention to damage the Cavalier King Charles club where I have been a loyal member for more than 30 years.” She is writing to the Electoral Reform Society, which conducted the election, to withdraw her nomination and hopes the officers will remain in post.

Mrs Carter, who is the leading lay expert on syringomyelia in spaniels, said: “I have been beaten, they have won, but at what cost?

“The top showing people and breeders are the ones most threatened by health testing. They either want to win in the show ring or make money and they don't want health problems talked about.”

Mrs Carter is now preparing evidence for the inquiry into dog breeding to be conducted by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson, a leading zoologist, and a separate investigation by MPs.

Mrs Jupp said she needed formal confirmation from the Electoral Reform Society about Mrs Carter's intentions before she could comment. She confirmed that she and her colleagues would reconsider their resignations if Mrs Carter had withdrawn her nomination.

“Her presence on the committee was unacceptable in the circumstances. Some people would have found it very difficult to work with her,” Mrs Jupp said.

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