A man who admitted causing suffering to pets in his care has today been banned from owning animals for life and jailed following an unprecedented and complex joint investigation by Essex Police and partners.

Oaveed Rahman, of Hope Road, Crays Hills, admitted 11 counts of fraud by false representation and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, which relates to 22 animals in his care, when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court last month.

The animals came from across south and mid Essex and even further afield.

The 26-year-old pretended to be running an animal charity, deceiving people into handing over their dogs which often included payment for rehoming and rehabilitation services.

The dogs were in fact kept in inhumane and appalling conditions.

At the same court today (Friday, 20 February), he also admitted possession of a banned dog breed, relating to an XL Bully dog.

In total, he was jailed for five years and given an order banning him from owning any animals, which he can appeal only after 15 years. 

The sentence follows one of the biggest animal cruelty investigations it is believed Essex Police has ever carried out.

advertisement

The unnecessary suffering to an animal charge incorporates behaviour to 21 dogs and one cat, which were in his care at his home address.

Through the searches carried out during the investigation, which began in May last year, officers found the remains of a total of 41 dogs.

Officers, working alongside colleagues from the RSPCA and Basildon Council, had first received reports relating to the address in April 2025.

Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team led this investigation.

It was overseen by Superintendent Leigh Norris who said it has been one of the most impactful cases the force has ever investigated.

"It's hard to put into the words the effect Rahman's offending has had, not just in Basildon and Essex, but across the country.

"All the officers involved in this case, alongside our partners at the RSPCA, Basildon Council and the Crown Prosecution Service, worked tirelessly and meticulously to gather the vital evidence needed to ensure Rahman pays for his crimes

"We know we cannot give everyone the answers they are looking for, but I hope they can be reassured that our extensive queries, which involved speaking to people across the UK, left Rahman with no option but to plead guilty.

"I want to thank everyone who shared vital information with us. It was invaluable and enabled us to build this case and secure a conviction and custodial sentence.

"We may never truly know the extent of his offending. The remains of a number of animals were unfortunately unidentifiable. We would dearly love to have been able to update every previous owner who made a report to us, but this was not possible. The loss which previous owners feel is not lost on us.

"Throughout this case we've worked in consistent consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service to agreed investigative parameters, and wherever we could identify animals and their owners and previous owners, updates were given.

"This case has been felt throughout the community, but I hope today people feel like they have seen some justice for the animals people entrusted into Rahman's care."

One of the saved and subsequently rehomed dogs that was found at the site.,

Ashley Petchey, Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: "Oaveed Rahman exploited the vulnerability of animal owners facing deeply difficult decisions, causing unimaginable suffering to animals placed in his trust.

"After carefully reviewing the police evidence presented to us, we authorised 12 charges.

"All live animals seized were included within the animal cruelty offence, with the facts making clear they were kept among, or in close proximity to, deceased animals. This approach in no way diminished the gravity of Rahman's actions or their consequences.

"The evidence was harrowing, and working closely with colleagues, we were determined to ensure Rahman was held to account for his actions and prevented from ever caring for animals again."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "This has been an extremely upsetting case for everyone involved, particularly those who entrusted dogs into the care of Save A Paw.

"We are pleased to have been able to work with the police and charity partners the Dog's Trust and National Animal Welfare Trust , to rescue dogs and a cat and find them loving homes, but are calling for action to protect many thousands of animals in the future by introducing regulation of animal rescues and sanctuaries so welfare checks can be carried out by the authorities.

Many sanctuaries and other animal welfare establishments do an amazing job, but the current lack of regulation and oversight is a major concern.

"Our officers have too often dealt with situations that have spiralled out of control, and animals pay the price.

"Anyone struggling to care for their pet can find useful advice on how to find help on our website."

A cat that survived being in the hands of Oaveed Rahman

Cllr Aidan McGurran, cabinet member for environment and leisure at Basildon Council, said: "This case has been deeply upsetting for everyone who cares about animal welfare. The suffering these pets endured is unimaginable and our hearts go out to everyone affected by his cruelty – including those deceived into believing their animals would be safe.

"We recognise the strength of feeling locally and the distress this case has caused across Basildon and beyond. Basildon Council remains fully committed to working closely with the police and partner agencies to prevent animal cruelty, to maintain high standards of animal welfare across the borough, and to do everything within our powers to help keep animals safe."

Adam Levy, Head of Rehoming Operations at the Dogs Trust, said"Today's sentencing brings to a close a truly horrific case that has deeply affected the owners of the dogs taken in by Oaveed Rahman, as well as the wider local community and the organisations, including Dogs Trust, involved in caring for dogs removed from the property.

"The decision to hand over a dog for rehoming is never taken lightly, and owners placed their trust in Save a Paw to act in the best interests of their pets. That trust was broken in the most appalling way, with devastating consequences.

"This case highlights the urgent need for stronger regulation of rehoming organisations, including licensing and regular inspections. Without proper oversight, there can be no assurance that organisations are operating in the best interests of the animals in their care."