A DOG breeder who died in a house fire with 12 of her 13 dogs faced the possibility of losing some of her pets in a court case, it has been revealed.

Hyndburn Council last week denied it had been taking court action against dog breeder Sheila Holding - but today admitted she was facing action under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Miss Holding, 54, died on January 17 in a fire at her home in Dowry Street, Accrington, along with 12 of her afghan hounds.

Firefighters said the blaze started in the kitchen and her body was found in the lounge.

The council has launched an investigation to find out why the Lancashire Evening Telegraph was not told the truth about the court action.

The inquiry also aims to find out which council employee revealed personal details about Miss Holding in an unauthorised interview with a national dog publication.

Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe, who ordered an investigation after the article was shown to him by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, said comments made by the council worker were "insensitive and appalling".

An unnamed employee was quoted in weekly national newspaper Dog World as saying that Miss Holding's dogs were "a bloody nuisance" and had been alleged to have attacked people, other dogs and even cars.

The council worker also claimed people living nearby had victimised Miss Holding because of her dogs' behaviour and made further "insensitive" comments.

Today the council admitted it had charged Miss Holding with having an afghan hound dangerously out of control after an incident last November. Miss Holding had been due before Hyndburn magistrates last Thursday.

Council chief executive Mike Chambers said: "The Evening Telegraph was told last week there was no court action pending. That is not the case, and that apparent error will now be looked into.

"It seems there has been an information blockage at some stage.

"Our objective as a council is to always be co-operative with the Press because that is how people find out what is happening in their borough.

"This council has a very firm policy about council employees not dealing with matters concerning individuals in public. The investigation could lead to disciplinary proceedings so there is nothing more I can say at this stage."

Coun Britcliffe said: "I want to thank the Evening Telegraph for bringing the remarks of this council employee to my attention. I am absolutely appalled that an employee of this council could make remarks like these at such a sensitive time - it is totally against the ethos of the council.

"I have spoken to the chief executive and ordered an immediate inquiry. We will get to the bottom of this and action will be taken accordingly. "My understanding is that Miss Holding did face some problems, and it is the council's job to sort such problems out. But in these tragic circumstances it was totally inappropriate for a council employee to make such remarks.

"Council employees who wish to make statements on matters of importance have to get the approval of the council's leading group, and no such approval was sought in this case.

"This was an awful tragedy and I'm sure people who knew Miss Holding, even those who sometimes thought she and her dogs were a nuisance, will feel very sad about everything that has happened."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned until March 15. Police and fire investigators have said they are not treating the blaze as suspicious.

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