Arson

THE barking of his 10 terrified dogs still haunts a teenager who was helpless to stop them perishing in a barn fire.

A week after the blaze swept through the farm's outbuildings, off Clay Lane, Burtonwood, Gary Griffiths physically shakes as he recalls his much-loved greyhounds that were pets as much as racing dogs.

He said: "My dogs' screams as they suffocated from the smoke is always with me.

"It's in my mind every second of every day."

Although Gary was able to kick in the door of another kennel to release a friend's dogs, his own were impossible to reach and after collapsing from smoke inhalation, he had to be dragged outside.

Gary, aged 19, of Haley Road, Burtonwood, was 12-years-old when his mum died from a stomach ulcer. He said it was the dogs that helped him cope with his loss.

As the years have gone by, they became the lynch pin of his life.

His interest was sparked when he met a pensioner who kept 20 greyhounds. While other boys would be playing football, or in later years going clubbing, Gary still preferred to spend time with the dogs.

He had built state-of-the-art kennels that met all professional criteria and was looking forward to his 20th birthday in March when he could apply for a professional licence.

Although supported by his girlfriend, Charlotte Sutcliffe, aged 17, who also helped with the dogs, Gary said: "People tell me I'm young so will be able to pick myself up.

"Maybe I will be able to rebuild the kennels, but I can't imagine life without those dogs. Nothing will ever replace them."

Police confirmed they are treating the blaze as arson."

Arson

A spokesman said: "Police have confirmed that the blaze at the Burtonwood farm was arson.

It was also revealed this week that thousands of pounds worth of tyres were slashed in another incident just days before the blaze broke out at the farm.

On September 9, around 30 tyres were slashed on various vehicles such as HGVs and tractors.

DC Dave Aspinall, from Cheshire police said: "We don't believe there is anybody with a vendetta against the farm and there is no motive we know of.

"We would ask anyone who was in the vicinity at the time of both these incidents, anyone who may have seen anything at all to get in touch."

Anyone with information can contact Warrington police on 01244 613835, or alternatively leave information in confidence on the Crimestoppers hotline, 0800555111.