When Tracey and Gavin Taylor's dog went missing, they turned to the woman they had bought her from just hours before.

Farmer Barbara Joyce agreed to give them another dog, Millie, as "bait" in an attempt to lure the errant collie home.

But it backfired on Mrs Joyce.

The couple were so horrified by labrador Millie's emaciated and listless condition they contacted the RSPCA.

The charity raided Mrs Joyce's stud farm near Lewes last May and seized three other dogs.

Their investigations led to a court case with the Taylors acting as key prosecution witnesses.

But Mrs Joyce was cleared of all charges and is now demanding all four dogs back, including Millie - with whom the Taylors have since fallen in love.

The other three remain in RSPCA care.

Now Millie is at the centre of a tug of love, with the Taylors insisting they will not give her up.

The couple were astounded when a judge said there was no evidence Mrs Joyce had caused unnecessary suffering to the animals at Quimper Stud farm in Rodmell.

Mr and Mrs Taylor, who have since moved away from Sussex, say Millie has thrived since they got her in May last year.

Mrs Taylor, 24 said: "She's so healthy, she eats like a horse and is so happy. There is no way we could let her go back.

"Why does Barbara Joyce only want her back now, after all these months, when she gave her away in the first place?

"I just couldn't believe the verdict. The two hours I spent in the witness box were the worst of my life. I felt it had all been a waste of time.

"But at least we did our best. And we have got the best dog in the world."

Meanwhile, Mrs Joyce, 51, of South Heighton, Newhaven, claims she is being victimised by the RSPCA, saying she suffered a breakdown because of its "harassment."

She has always maintained the dogs were rescued from Ireland and were in the early stages of recovery when they were seized by the charity.

She was devastated by the criticism she received from District Judge James Shrimpton in court last month.

He said he was satisfied she had lied to the court and criticised her "wrongful antagonism" towards the RSPCA, adding: "It would seem that in this particular stud farm, it may well be a case of too much stock and too few staff to look after them."

But Mrs Joyce says her critics don't know what they are talking about.

She was a target of animal rights activists in November 2001 when 50 animals were stolen from her farm, including seven puppies and 23 dogs.

More than 20 people called The Argus to praise the thieves' actions.

Mrs Joyce said: "I was found innocent but once you've had any dealings with the RSPCA they beaver away at you.

"During the foot and mouth we had a dreadful incident with the sheep and since then they have not left us alone.

"People that know me know my life revolves around caring for my animals. I was very upset the judge said I'd lied.

"Why, when I had 200 animals, did they take just three away? As the court agreed, they weren't ill, they were just thin.

"I am entitled to my dogs back and I intend to get them back."

The RSPCA said Mrs Joyce had not yet been in contact to ask for the other three dogs back but if she did, arrangements would be made.

A spokeswoman said: "We'd refute any charges of victimisation. We are just doing our job to prevent cruelty to animals wherever possible."

The RSPCA declined to comment on what they believe should happen to Millie.