A DOG re-homing charity remained defiant last night that two pets it had taken back into its custody would not be returned.

The Labrador Lifeline Trust defended its decision to reclaim without warning four-year-old Lunar from Salvation Army commander Alexander Hughes, later citing welfare grounds.

And the trust said it was not intending to return another pet Labrador called Rooney which was handed over during a change in domestic circumstances.

When confronted by Daily Echo reporters at her country home in the leafy Hampshire village of Elvetham near Hook, trust boss Anne Carter refused to reveal either dogs whereabouts.

Speaking from behind a gate where she was surrounded by barking dogs she stressed only five dogs had been reclaimed from the thousand re-homed by the charity since it was founded in 1999.

"It's not a decision that is taken lightly," Miss Carter said.

"It's very rarely done. It has to be a serious thing for us to do it. We are in the business of re-homing dogs for life not taking them back again."

Miss Carter said the decision to re-home a dog was voted on by trustees following a report by the local volunteer. In Lunar's case the decision was unanimous for "welfare reasons'', she said.

Miss Carter, who is chairman of the trustees, said notification was not sent to avoid dogs being removed. She said reclaimed dogs were kept in a temporary foster home or kennels until a new home was found. Said she had received a letter from Miss Hughes's solicitor which made the case "sub-judice'' and would not comment on it.

Hampshire area co-ordinator Pennie Medland, who dealt with Lunar's case, also refused to comment to the Daily Echo.

Miss Carter added that Rooney had been legally signed over and would be re-homed. She said she was happy to speak to former keeper Sean Whelan about the dog's future welfare and keep him updated with photos.

Miss Hughes, of Penshurst Way, Eastleigh, has confirmed her solicitor has given the trust 14 days to return Lunar or face legal action .

Miss Hughes said: "Hopefully they will realise they made a mistake and give Lunar back to me.

"I miss her terribly and I'm sure she is missing me. It's an injustice to be accused of something that's not happened."

A trust report claimed four-year-old Lunar was overweight, her claws were too long and she had allegedly been left in a car in high temperatures.

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne said he had now received a reply from the trust to his concerns.

"I still believe that a little flexibility and some communication between reasonable people should have sorted this issue out, and I hope that the Labrador Lifeline Trust gives Major Hughes another chance to look after Lunar,'' he said.

The trust operates across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Middlesex and Lincolnshire. It is funded solely by donations and fundraising.

Last night the trust moved to clarify the situation over Rooney.

Trust solicitor Martin Coakley said the dog was legally handed to the charity by Mrs C Whelan who said the dog belonged to her and she could no longer care for him.

"From the evidence produced by Mrs Whelan, pedigree certificate, vaccination certificate etc, the trust representatives were satisfied that she was the dog's owner and not any other person, in particular not Mr Whelan,'' Mr Coakley said.

Mr Coakley said he had emailed the position to Mr Whelan.

The Labrador Rescue Trust who re-home dogs in and around the Eastleigh area would like it to be known that they are in no way connected with the Labrador Lifeline Trust