‘I’M TRYING TO PUT PAST BEHIND ME’

SCOTT Bennett yesterday claimed that he has put all criminality behind him and said the dog-breeding venture marks his way of running a respectable family business.

He said the “state-ofthe-art” kennels have cost him his life savings of £180,000 and are a million miles from being a puppy farm.

He said: “I am a dog lover and I have been breeding dogs since I was 19. I have only had three litters in the past four years.

“My architect is meeting planning officers next week to see how they can sort this out. I have done everything I have been asked to do.

“The kennels are state-ofthe-art.

“I have an isolation room for quarantine and my priority is the dogs’ welfare.

“I spent £7500 on vet bills on one dog recently – that’s not the actions of a puppy farmer. My dogs are bred really well and come from proper Kennel Club stock.”

Bennett added: “We all have a history and I am trying to put mine behind me. I spend 24 hours a day on my farm trying to sort our future. I am not a criminal.”

He also claimed the venture would be good for the local area.

He said: “I employ two people to run the stables and their jobs would be at risk if I can’t get the business up and running.

“I’m just looking to be treated fairly.”