Animal Rescue Centre Owner Jailed for Five Years Over Barbaric Cruelty
The owner of a filthy and stinking animal rescue centre, where the carcasses of 41 dogs were discovered, has been jailed for five years today. Oaveed Rahman, 27, operated the unregistered Save A Paw facility in Crays Hill, Essex, which also served as his home.
Horrific Conditions and Deception
Rahman took thousands of pounds from people who entrusted him with their pets when they could no longer care for them. He promised to stay in touch with updates on the animals' wellbeing but would then become difficult to contact or block owners on social media.
Concerns were raised through Action Fraud, leading to a police raid on May 13 last year that revealed hellish scenes. Remains of dogs were found in bins, outbuildings, and gardens at the property. The bodies were riddled with maggots, and the site was infested with rats.
Veterinary surgeon Amy Cooper, who attended the scene with police, stated that the putrid odour immediately hit her as she left her car parked 130 feet away. 'I can honestly say what I smelt and saw was the most horrific thing I have ever seen,' she said.
Surviving Animals' Suffering
Pens and cages were covered in faeces, and surviving dogs were severely underweight. They were tormented by the smell of open bags of food nearby that they could not access. One pet was so traumatised it could no longer bark.
Rahman appeared at Basildon Crown Court by videolink today and has been on remand at Chelmsford Prison since his arrest last year. He received a 38-month jail term after admitting cruelty against 21 dogs and a cat left without food and water, plus a consecutive 22 months for 11 counts of fraud by false representation.
A concurrent three-year sentence was imposed for owning a fighting dog, specifically an unlicensed XL Bully. Campaigners noted he slipped through a legal gap, as deliberate killing of animals is not a recognised offence, so he could only be prosecuted for cruelty.
Courtroom Drama and Victim Impact
Judge Richard Conley told the privately educated defendant he had committed an 'act of betrayal of epic proportion that has devastated many lives.' He added: 'You managed to convince dog owners through personal charm and persuasion to hand over their pets and, in many cases, significant quantities of cash on a series of promises you would provide their beloved pets with a home. All of those animals received none of those things but instead you subjected them to prolonged and barbaric misdeeds and neglect.'
Rahman was banned from owning cats or dogs for life, with eligibility to apply to lift the disqualification after 15 years. An angry mob of around 50 people, including owners of dogs that perished and animal lovers, was initially prevented from entering the court by police due to crowd control concerns.
About 30 were eventually admitted but had to be told to calm down by Judge Conley as they sighed, tutted, and laughed when the defendant's lawyer said he expressed remorse. Many sobbed throughout the hearing.
Investigation Details and Unaccounted Animals
The court heard that Rahman, who previously worked as an estate agent and in the hotel industry, advertised his rehoming and training services for his unregistered charity on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. When police visited his premises, 37 dead dogs were found, with another four discovered when a shed was demolished later.
Police recovered 21 live dogs, but three were so unwell they had to be euthanised, and another went blind. The dead animals were so badly decomposed that post-mortem examinations could not be carried out.
Victim impact statements included one from Emma Thompson, who gave Rahman £500 towards the care of her dalmatian pointer cross, Lennon. She said she was 'extremely traumatised' at the thought of 'how confused, scared and sad Lennon must have felt.' Her dog was among those found dead.
Tim Davis was 'devastated' at having to rehome his pet Chad, whose remains were never found. He said: 'I torture myself, wondering how much he suffered.' Police spoke to people in 20 counties and as far as Scotland during their investigation.
Campaigner Concerns and Official Response
Critics fear scores of other animals may have died there, including exotic creatures such as marmoset monkeys and a llama that Rahman posted about online, as they remain unaccounted for. Campaigners who combed through his social media accounts estimate at least 180 other animals are missing, though this was not heard in court and lacks hard evidence.
Inspector Steve Parry of Essex Police said: 'This was an unprecedented investigation. The scenes which officers encountered, the treatment of the dogs found alive and the scale of it were deeply upsetting for all who attended.' One officer involved in the raid added: 'There is not a day when I do not think about the dogs… This was one of the most distressing and revolting jobs.'
Defence lawyer Molly Pinkus spoke of her client's remorse, noting he suffered from depression and started the enterprise with good intentions. Prosecutor Tom Godfrey said: 'Rahman made the decision to house those dogs in inhuman conditions. Whether this was some satisfaction from the power that he was able to exert over these dogs is a matter for Your Honour. But it is difficult to see why else Rahman would house the live dogs with the deceased dogs.'
A Basildon Council spokesman stated: 'This has been a deeply distressing case and our thoughts remain with everyone affected by what has come to light.'
