A death threat hangs over more than 20 retired greyhounds unless homes are found for them after a court ruled that kennels at Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, should close.

Ian Wills, trainer and keeper of 65 dogs at Cross Trees Farm kennels, is desperate to find homes for some of the animals because new accommodation is not big enough for all of them.

Mr Wills said: "There is a risk that some of the dogs might have to be put down, but in all my time as a trainer I have never had a dog destroyed unless it was seriously injured or ill. I love these animals and they will be put down over my dead body."

Helping Mr Wills in the search for new homes is Melanie Hancox, the Oxford- shire organiser of the Retired Greyhound Trust, who works closely with owners and trainers at Oxford Stadium.

She said: "It is distressing to know that some of these dogs could be at risk but we are working hard to ensure they are found new homes."

Mr Wills, from Drayton, is a familiar face at the Oxford dog track. He has been a trainer for 15 years and has looked after owners' dogs and retired animals in old chicken sheds at Cross Trees Farm. But people living nearby have complained about noise and disturbance day and night and the Vale of White Horse District Council took action.

In June last year, the council refused to renew planning permission for the kennels and in July this year issued an enforcement order because Mr Wills and the landowner, farmer Paul Caudwell, from Drayton, were in breach of planning regulations.

The men were fined £1,000 each at Wantage Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with an enforcement order issued by the council ordering the removal of the dogs. The two men pleaded guilty.

In addition to the fines, they had to pay the council's costs of £750.

Mr Wills said he searched for alternative premises but they were either unsuitable or too expensive and so the dogs continued to be cared for at Cross Trees.

He has since found new accommodation at Forest Hill, near Wheatley. The site was previously used for kennels but the buildings have gone and Mr Wills will have to put up wooden structures.

He said: "The problem is there is room for only about 40 dogs there leaving over 20 dogs at Cross Trees for which we are desperately seeking a new home."

Sutton Courtenay and Appleford district councillor Gervase Duffield said: "The council has done everything in its power and we were left with no alternative but to take legal action.

"I don't want to see dogs put down and I think we should give the kennels another few weeks so they can be found new homes."

Anyone able to offer a greyhound a home can call Ms Hancox on 07944 248318.