The Argus has carried several letters recently concerning dog breeding at Hurstpierpoint.

Mid Sussex District Council licensed Mrs Von Der Heyde to keep a breeding establishment for dogs up until December 31, 1998, at Hurstpierpoint. The licence was not renewed as the commercial breeding operation had ceased.

While council officers have a power of entry to premises under The Breeding Of Dogs Act 1973, this does not extend to an ordinary domestic dwelling.

When the commercial dog breeding operation by Mrs Von Der Heyde ceased, the only right of entry by officers would have been under other legislation relating to statutory nuisance.

In other words, officers would have to have been in receipt of evidence or information that animals were being kept in very unsuitable conditions. When the licence expired in 1998, this was not the case.

Neither has any council officer ever received any information from local residents, family, friends, or anyone else to suggest otherwise.

Many of the council's services can only operate successfully with the aid of good local intelligence.

Unfortunately, in this instance, none was forthcoming.

-Martin Burrekoven-Kalve, Mid Sussex District Council Press Office