By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 14:17, Tuesday, 09 February 2010

A dog owner who was bombarded with accusations of neglecting his pets has won emphatic support from a vet, police and council officials.

Maurice Lawman

Maurice Lawman, 63, became the focus of international criticism after images of his dogs was posted on the video sharing website YouTube.

It featured some of his 17 greyhounds at his Northside allotment in Workington, prompting a huge campaign urging Allerdale Council the RSPCA to seize and rehome the dogs.

But Mr Lawman, from Moorclose, was infuriated by the neglect claim, saying his dogs are the most important thing in his life.

In the video one of the dogs is limping and this sparked outbursts from concerned people saying that the animals were neglected, poorly fed and living in terrible conditions.

The video that claims to show the animals were neglected, poorly fed and living in terrible conditions:

Hundreds of emails flooded in to Allerdale council and the News & Star from people across the globe insisting that the dogs be rehomed.

Allerdale, which owns the allotment involved, echoed Mr Lawman’s protests, saying the dogs were in no danger and were well looked after; fed regularly and, in one case, receiving treatment prescribed by the owner’s vet.

The News & Star visited the allotment to see the condition of the dogs and to speak to Mr Lawman. The three greyhounds in question are all retired racers, aged between five and seven-years-old.

“These dogs are not neglected,” said Mr Lawman. “My life is caring for these dogs. My grandfather got me my first greyhound when I was nine and I have had them ever since.

“I’m really disappointed because people have complained about them. It has been terrible for me. Every penny I get I spend on my dogs – my dogs always come first. These dogs are as healthy as they come, I look after them and they all love me.”

After the video appeared on YouTube people have written about their disgust and concerns.

Valarie Wolf, from California, said she believed the video images of the dogs suggested they needed veterinary attention.

Felicity Voiesy from Yeovil,said: “I cannot believe that the council feels this is an acceptable way to keep dogs or that a council allotment, where food is presumably grown, is an appropriate place for so much dog urine and/or excrement.

Allerdale council’s environmental services team, a police officer and a vet went to the allotments last month to inspect the animals.

“On entering the premises the dogs were pleased to see their owner - there was not one dog cowering, and no animals seemed threatened by his presence,” said an Allerdale spokesman.

“There were no large deposits of dog mess around the site. All the dogs had kennels with straw and shredded paper and water seemed to be plentiful.

“The dogs’ owner then entered a shed to point out a large pan of stew filled with various mince and other meats. He also had two full loaves of bread.”

He added that the vet inspected each dog and was happy that the dog with the limp was a long standing injury and was of no concern.

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk