Kennels Controversy

Nigel Stentiford, who has owned and run New Carleton Kennels with his wife, Lorraine, for four years, was speaking after councillors renewed its licence for another 12 months.

A string of complaints by objectors, countered by letters of support from satisfied customers of the kennels, led to Arun District Council reviewing the licence at a public meeting, the first time in the council's 29-year history that such a hearing has been held.

Arun's licensing and enforcement committee decided they had no evidence to justify refusing the licence, pointing out that 14 of the 15 objectors had asked for their names and addresses not to be disclosed to Mr Stentiford.

He told the committee: "The allegations generally are almost entirely uncorroborated. There is no supporting evidence, such as veterinary bills, where allegations are made. Each and every allegation is strenuously denied."

Mr Stentiforth added: "It is difficult to identify precisely from the objections the incidents to which they allegedly relate, as they are anonymous."

He claimed the kennels had widespread backing from a number of professional bodies, and gave the committee letters of support from Sussex Alsatian Rescue, the Boxer Rescue Service (Southern), two gundog societies, veterinary surgeons and customers of the kennels.