Essex Kennel Owner Receives Five-Year Sentence for Animal Cruelty and Fraud
Oaveed Rahman, a 26-year-old from Essex, has begun a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple counts of animal cruelty and fraud. The court heard harrowing details of his systematic abuse and neglect of hundreds of pets, including dogs, monkeys, horses, and even a llama, at his Basildon property.
The Deceptive Operation
Rahman operated under the guise of a compassionate animal lover, running a business called 'Save a Paw' in Crays Hill, near Basildon. He presented himself as running a dog rescue and training centre, charging owners between £300 and £2,500 per animal for rehoming and training services. However, this facade concealed a brutal reality of neglect and exploitation.
Police discovered 41 dead dogs during a raid on his property in May, with many more animals found in squalid conditions close to death. The investigation revealed that Rahman had been making up to £15,000 monthly by taking in pets from owners who were struggling to care for them, only to subject the animals to unimaginable suffering.
Extent of the Cruelty
Campaigners who have examined Rahman's social media activity estimate that he may be responsible for the deaths of more than 180 animals, though the exact number may never be known. The 22 counts of animal cruelty and 11 counts of fraud for which he was convicted represent only a fraction of the alleged offenses.
Superintendent Leigh Norris of Essex Police stated that authorities 'will never truly know the extent' of the death and cruelty that occurred at the facility. Inspector Steve Parry described the scenes encountered during the raid as 'deeply upsetting for all who attended', noting the terrible conditions in which surviving animals were found.
Victims' Stories
Dozens of pet owners have come forward with heartbreaking accounts of their experiences with Rahman:
- Michelle Halliday from Leeds sent her Cane Corso-cross Sparko to Rahman for training in January, paying substantial fees. By March, she became suspicious when Rahman avoided showing her the dog. Sparko's body was eventually found among the 41 dead dogs discovered during the police raid.
- Carla Patrick from South London entrusted an American bulldog named Ricky to Save a Paw in December 2024. Despite paying £350, she received increasingly evasive communication from Rahman and now believes her dog did not survive.
- Sharon Duffy from Nottinghamshire discovered that her eight-month-old Cane-Corso cross Kingslea had been taken to Save a Paw without her permission in December 2024. Despite repeated requests for proof of the dog's wellbeing, Rahman provided only excuses, claiming data protection prevented him from sharing information.
Legal Limitations and Calls for Reform
A significant aspect of this case highlights limitations in current animal protection laws. Rahman was only charged in relation to animals that were still alive when authorities intervened. The 41 dead dogs found on his property did not result in additional criminal charges because UK law currently recognizes no offense equivalent to murder or manslaughter for animals.
Michelle Halliday, whose dog Sparko was among those found dead, is now campaigning for legal reform. 'How can you go round in the UK and slaughter 41 dogs and get away with it?' she asked, calling for specific legislation that would make causing the death of a dog a criminal offense.
Disturbing Details Emerge
Further investigation revealed particularly disturbing aspects of Rahman's behavior:
- He reportedly joked about 'barbecuing' marmoset monkeys that were in his care, with the fate of these exotic animals remaining unknown.
- Neighbors reported a persistent bad smell coming from the property and described Rahman as confrontational when challenged, allegedly 'playing the race card' to deflect criticism.
- The shed where dead dogs were found bore a chilling sign reading: 'No trespassing - we're tired of hiding the bodies.'
- One neighbor finally prompted police action after discovering a dog's leg, complete with fur and claws, in their garden, apparently carried there by a fox from where Rahman had hidden the body.
Aftermath and Ongoing Impact
The RSPCA has described this as 'an extremely upsetting case for everyone involved', particularly for those who entrusted their pets to Save a Paw. While the Dogs Trust and RSPCA have worked to rehome some surviving animals, many owners remain without closure, uncertain whether their pets are dead or alive.
Caroline Park, who left two dogs with Rahman, managed to track down one that had been rehomed without her consent, but fears the other is dead. She emphasized the need for proper regulation in animal rescue operations, warning that 'until it is, things like this will happen again and again.'
Rahman's sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court brings some measure of justice, but victims and campaigners argue that the five-year term fails to reflect the scale of suffering inflicted. The case has exposed significant gaps in animal protection legislation and oversight of rescue operations, prompting calls for systemic reform to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
