'Significant' number of new reports to police over 37 dead dogs discovery
Police investigating the discovery of 37 dead dogs at an animal centre say they have received a "significant" number of new reports from members of the public.
A 25-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty and fraud offences after a raid at a property in Crays Hill in Billericay in Essex on Tuesday.
Essex Police have set up a website on which people can submit information, but encouraged the public to avoid sending in "rumour or third-party reports".
Police also found 20 live dogs at the premises, which are now being cared for.
A spokesman for the force said: "Since the creation of a dedicated portal through which the public, we've seen a large number of reports submitted and each of the submissions are being reviewed by officers.
"We'd also like to remind the public that the portal is open purely for the purposes of helping us to gather evidence which will help our investigation to progress. Please do not use it to submit rumour or third-party reports as this can hinder the pace at which the investigation can progress."
Insp Steve Parry, of the Basildon neighbourhood policing team, said: 'I would like to thank those people who have submitted information through the portal. Officers are working incredibility hard to review every report.
'The connection people had with their pets is obvious in each case and I promise that this is not lost on us. We will be in touch with those who have submitted suitable information as soon as we can.
'Please understand this is a complex investigation with parameters which are widening by the hour and it is not something we will rush – out of fairness to everyone who has been in touch.'
Basildon Council has also launched an internal inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the raid.
Oaveed Rahman, 25, of Hope Road, in Crays Hill has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, an offence under the Animal Welfare Act and three counts of fraud by false representation.
Rahman appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Basildon Crown Court on June 9, a court official said.
A second man arrested has been released on bail until July.
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