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.

Letters opposing the renewal of the licence were also shown to the committee, with names and addresses blocked out, apart from one. They claimed dogs kept at the kennels, or at the Climping Animal Sanctuary, which is run by the Stentifords alongside their own business, had suffered from illness, injury and poor conditions.

John Green, an Arun environmental health officer, said a series of inspections of the kennels had found them well-run, fully complying with licence conditions and had given no cause for concern.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Stentiford said he was relieved the licence had been renewed, but angry at the "hate campaign" orchestrated against him by one person, which was now the subject of legal action.

We have all suffered much stress and sleepless nights while this campaign has been going on. Knowing that we are totally innocent and having nothing to hide has kept us going through these traumatic times.