A dog lover says he could end up living in his car by Christmas Day because he won’t give up his pets.

Lee Hoadley, 55, was made homeless in July when his landlord sold the house in Queenborough he had been renting for four years.

Since then, he has been living in a holiday chalet in Leysdown but has been told he must move out next month. He says Swale Council will not rehouse him because of his animals.

He said: “I have two Staffs. The oldest, China, is 10 and needs to be hand-fed. If I had to put her in a kennel it would kill her.” His other dog, Lita, is five.

Mr Hoadley said: “I don’t see why I should be forced to give up my dogs. I have paid my taxes and now when I need help I’m going to get jack squat. Why should I be punished just because I have dogs? I am going to end up on the street with my dogs and will probably have to spend Christmas Day living in my car.

“It will also mean having to give up my job as a fitter in Sittingbourne. There is no way I could leave my dogs in a car on their own all day. And I don’t want to leave my car with all my possessions parked on a road.”

"People assume dogs are disposable like furniture. But they’re not" - Colette Haseldine

His friend, Colette Haseldine, said: “Lee is already being treated for heart problems and is under a lot of stress. People assume dogs are disposable like furniture. But they’re not.”

A Swale council spokesman urged Mr Hoadley to contact the authority again as soon as possible.

He said: “We would urge anyone who is facing homelessness to contact us asap. Our temporary accommodation providers are unable to take pets but we do try to help find somewhere for animals if family or friends are unable to help.”