A WOMAN who was labelled the accomplice of a man jailed for cruelty to animals has pleaded to be left in peace with her dogs.

And the boss of a top animal charity has backed her claim that she is the victim of vicious rumours.

Christine Green claims she has been targeted by "horrid allegations" since John Layland was banned for life from keeping dogs and horses.

He had admitted neglect charges against 16 thoroughbreds he kept in stables at Demesne Farm, Newsholme, near Gisburn.

Layland was convicted last year on two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the horses and failure to dispose of dead animals.

Charges against Miss Green, who was alleged to have been Layland's girlfriend, were dismissed by Blackburn magistrates.

But angry Miss Green, who now keeps an undisclosed number of dogs at Demesne Farm, said she was never Layland's girlfriend. Bosses at the Retired Greyhound Trust said rumours that she was keeping the dogs on their behalf were untrue and that all the dogs at the premises were in good condition.

"There are no retired greyhounds on the premises and no dogs are being kennelled on behalf of anyone," Miss Green said.

"The dogs are a private matter. I'm not prepared to say how many there are, but you are quite welcome to see them.

"John Layland isn't here and I have no idea where he is.

"I am being victimised by horrid allegations. Please don't tar me with the same brush,"

David Poole, national organiser for the Retired Greyhound Trust, said Miss Green was not looking after dogs on behalf of the trust and never had.

He said: "I heard these rumours and have visited her premises more than once. I have seen her dogs and they are all in good condition.

"These are unsubstantiated rumours. I would have no problem in leaving dogs with her.

"If I thought for one moment that she was ill-treating dogs I would say so. I see a lot of kennels that I am not happy with, but she treats her dogs really well. I am satisfied that there is not a problem."

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