A COUNCILLOR has denied hurting a puppy after allegations he threw it when it started to bite him in a video he posted on social media.

Cllr Jeff Scowen was met with a backlash of online comments when locals hit out at him allegedly throwing the puppy, named Yan, in his latest “Mad Jeff in Lyme Regis” video.

After sharing the short video on the public Facebook group, Lyme Regis Noticeboard, Cllr Scowen received a host of negative comments, before he removed his video.

Speaking to The News, Cllr Scowen, said that the puppy had not been hurt.

He said: “It surprised me. I didn’t see all of the really negative comments but I have been told about them.

“I think I should have made it clearer that the owners were completely fine about it. They were laughing their heads off when I showed it to them.”

In the video, Cllr Scowen is seen holding the puppy while standing next to a piece of art on the Lyme Regis Sculpture Trail, which the councillor has been using his latest videos to promote. Shortly after the start of the video, Cllr Scowen complained that the dog was biting him before the puppy left his hands and landed on the ground with a yelp.

Craig Flynn took to Facebook, calling on Cllr Scowen to resign.

Tina Herbert added: “What the hell are you doing grabbing an innocent pup while you are trying to explain what the statue is about? Be more considerate to animals, think first.”

Emile-Fay Hackett said: “This is just disgusting. Why on earth would you throw a dog like that and then post this?”

Cllr Scowen added: “The dog was absolutely fine. There was no cruelty involved whatsoever, I love animals and I have a cat of my own.

“It was a real Marmite one. In hindsight it possibly wasn’t the best idea to post it.”

Cllr Scowen, who said he is a “PR expert” wants to take his series of videos to the next level, aiming to one day have them screened on television.

He said: “I don’t go out for attention, I do them primarily because I love to do them. I get great enjoyment out of it. They are very useful for promoting Lyme.”

He also hit out at Lyme Regis Town Council for not doing more to promote the town.

Cllr Scowen, who said he wants to be town mayor one day, added: “The Lyme Regis council is very conservative. There is a lot more we could do to promote the town. They are very behind with PR - they do not get the bigger picture.”