Animal Rescue Centre Owner Sentenced for Dog Deaths
A man who operated an animal rescue centre where 41 dogs were discovered dead has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Essex Police uncovered the dogs in deplorable conditions at the Save a Paw facility in Crays Hill, near Basildon, in May 2025.
The discovery led to a nationwide investigation to identify the dogs’ owners, many of whom remain unknown.
Details of the Sentencing
Oaveed Rahman, aged 26, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals, specifically 21 dogs and a cat, along with 11 counts of fraud by false representation.
Rahman, residing on Hope Road, Crays Hill, appeared via video link from HMP Chelmsford wearing a beige shirt.
He received a five-year prison sentence, with 38 months dedicated to animal cruelty charges. This sentence will run consecutively to the fraud convictions, for which he was sentenced to 22 months per count, all to run concurrently.
Additionally, Rahman was sentenced to three months imprisonment, to run concurrently, for possession of a banned XL bully dog. He was also banned from owning dogs and cats for life, with the possibility to apply for lifting the ban after 15 years.
A deprivation order was imposed, removing all animals previously under Rahman’s care.
Fraud and Neglect
The court heard Rahman collected approximately £4,800 from victims, assuring them the funds would be used to rehome their pets. Instead, he neglected the animals and failed to maintain contact with owners regarding their pets’ welfare.
Judge Richard Conley remarked on the severity of the offences:
"[The] gravity of the offending is so great… I can barely conceive of a more serious offence of this type. No sentence that I can lawfully impose can adequately reflect the justifiable anger and disgust at what you have done."
Conditions at Save a Paw
Twenty-one live dogs and a cat were found confined in small, filthy spaces without access to water, food, or adequate living conditions.
Veterinarian Amy Cooper, who attended the scene with police in May, described the conditions:
"As soon as I left my vehicle I could smell rotting flesh, despite parking 40m (130ft) away from Rahman's property."
She observed numerous decomposing bodies infested with maggots and rats roaming outside. The dogs confined in pens endured "mental turmoil" as open bags of food were present but inaccessible to them.
Prosecutor Tom Godfrey stated the neglect had persisted for weeks, likely causing suffering to the deceased dogs while alive.
Some dogs were discovered in bins, outbuildings, and the garden. Pens and cages contained faeces, and many dogs were severely underweight.
"Rahman made the decision to house these dogs in inhumane 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."
Investigation Scope
Police engaged with individuals across 20 counties regarding Rahman’s offences, with some victims located as far as Scotland who had used the rehoming service.
"We'll never truly know the extent of how far maybe offending or this behaviour has gone,"
said Superintendent Leigh Norris of Essex Police.
Defence and Courtroom Reaction
During mitigation, Molly Pinkus stated Rahman expressed remorse, but this was met with audible disapproval from the public gallery, including sighs, tutting, shaking heads, and laughter. The judge requested silence to allow her to continue.
The judge sought insight into Rahman’s motivation, stating:
"It is so impossible to understand what can cause a person to do the things that he did. I can't make sense of it, probation can't make sense of it, the psychiatrist can't make sense of it."
Pinkus explained Rahman, who had a private education, suffered from mental health issues and initially aimed to care for dogs genuinely.
Throughout the hearing, animal owners observed Rahman showing no emotion, staring straight ahead.
Impact on Dog Owners
Statements from six dog owners who entrusted Rahman with their pets were read in court.
Michelle Halliday, one of the few owners aware of her pet’s fate, said:
"We have to live every day knowing we sent Sparko to his death. Sparko was not even a year old. He had his whole life ahead of him. He should be here now… This will never leave us."
Tina Davis, who surrendered her pocket bully dog Chad to Save a Paw after a fight with another dog, stated:
"I was devastated at the prospect of giving up my dog but knew it was required for Chad to have the best possible life. I torture myself, wondering how much he suffered. He must've thought I didn't love him to leave him at that wretched place... I question if I will ever forgive myself."
Several victims had contacted Rahman through the Save a Paw Facebook page, which had received positive reviews prior to the investigation.
