Horror as bodies of 37 dogs found in major police raid on ‘rescue centre' with two men arrested
TWO MEN have been arrested after the bodies of 37 dogs were discovered when police raided a controversial animal rescue centre.
Essex Police officers uncovered the dead animals, alongside 20 living ones, in a shocking joint raid with the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Council on Tuesday in Billericay, Essex.
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Hayley Lucas had her dog Frank homed at the centre but fears he is no longer alive
Credit: SWNS
The crews were responding to a number of reports in relation to an address in the town.
Two men have now been arrested on suspicion of fraud and failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals.
One dog owner, Hayley Lucas, had homed her beloved pooch Frank at the centre, but now fears he is no longer alive.
Hayley, 43, had driven all the way to Essex from Scotland after believing she had found "the perfect" home for Frank, and has now expressed her guilt at having handed him over.
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She said Frank, a Border Collie and Perro de Presa Canario mix, had developed behavioural issues after moving homes.
As a result, she drove him to the new home in Essex to try and find people to take care of him.
However, she began to get suspicious when the person who "rescued" her dog failed to provide updates that had previously been promised.
Hayley added: "It's been horrendous.
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"I couldn't sleep last night and feel truly sick to my stomach - I trusted him to do the best for my Frank and this is what was happening.
"I never went inside as he was taken from us into the building and I didn't get out the car because I was in bits.
"I no longer believe he is alive."
Inspector Steve Parry, of the Basildon neighbourhood policing team, said: "As a result of a number of reports relating to dogs which were made through the Action Fraud system, officers from our neighbourhood team have worked alongside colleagues in the RSPCA and Basildon Council to piece together actionable information.
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"That work resulted in yesterday's joint visit.
"At this stage, we believe we have found the remains of 37 dogs and about 20 live dogs which are now being cared for. The priority for all our partners is to locate their last-known owners.
"This is likely to be a complex and potentially far-reaching investigation, and we don't plan on giving a running commentary on it – but we will endeavour to keep the public informed on this investigation when it is appropriate to do so."
A spokesperson for the cops added: "Essex Police officers working alongside colleagues from the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Council in response to a number of reports in relation to an address in Billericay have uncovered the remains of 37 dogs and seized a number of others to ensure they are safe.
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"The partners carried out a joint visit to the property, in the Crays Hill area, yesterday, Tuesday 13 May.
"Two men have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals. They remain in custody.
"As part of the response, a police presence continued in the area overnight.
"All three organisations are aware of – and entirely understand – discussion of this investigation on a number of social media platforms.
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"At this stage, we would urge the public to please refrain from speculation whilst our enquiries progress."
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Police discovered the 37 dead animals after raiding the rescue centre
Credit: Facebook / Essex Poilice
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