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BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Woman arrested after 37 dead dogs found in Billericay raid
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after 37 dead dogs were discovered at a property believed to be a rescue Police said it had found four more bodies following the original police raid in May at a property in Crays Hill near 25-year-old woman from London was arrested on Wednesday and was in police Rahman, 25, of Hope Road in Crays Hill has already been charged with animal cruelty offences and fraud by false representation. He is due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 9 June.A second man arrested in the investigation was released on bail until July, Essex Police bodies of the dogs were found along with 21 live animals after joint inquiries with the RSPCA and Basildon Borough said the remains of four further animals were identified recently when buildings were dismantled by the were "now working to respectfully remove these remains from the scene" and would establish if they were "linked to the investigation".Officers from Essex Police and the RSPCA were on the scene at Crays Hill on Wednesday, after receiving information from a member of the Steve Parry said: "We understand the concerns of the local community. We would ask people not to speculate and allow us to carry out our complex and thorough investigations." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Man charged over 37 dead dogs found in Crays Hill, Billericay
A 25-year-old man has been charged in connection with the discovery of 37 dead said the "extremely intensive investigation" could span the UK after the remains were found at what was believed to be a rescue centre in Crays Hill, Essex, on Rahaman, of Hope Road, Crays Hill, was due to appear at court on Thursday, charged with three counts of fraud by false representation and two animal cruelty offences.A second man arrested in the investigation was released on bail until July, Essex Police said. Officers have been trying to locate the dogs' last-known owners, as well as 20 dogs that were found alive at the premises near Billericay."This has been an extremely intensive investigation," Insp Steve Parry said."To have secured such significant charges within 36 hours of making an arrest is a real testament to the unwavering commitment of the officers." 'Complex and far-reaching' Police said the fraud offences related to the "transfer of ownership of dogs".The animals were found after joint inquiries with the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Rahaman would appear before Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday, police well as the fraud offences, he was also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in the duty to ensure an animal's Parry urged people not to speculate on the case."The public sentiment surrounding this investigation is not lost on us and I would continue to urge the public to be responsible when discussing this," he added."We are also acutely aware there will be a number of people, potentially across the UK, who may have questions on the current situation or information which they want us to know about."He said the investigation was likely to be "complex and potentially far-reaching". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Horror as bodies of 37 dogs found in major police raid on ‘rescue centre' with two men arrested
UNIMAGINABLE CRUELTY Horror as bodies of 37 dogs found in major police raid on 'rescue centre' with two men arrested Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 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. 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. "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. "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. "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. "At this stage, we would urge the public to please refrain from speculation whilst our enquiries progress." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.


The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
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. Advertisement 2 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "At this stage, we would urge the public to please refrain from speculation whilst our enquiries progress." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at Advertisement 2 Police discovered the 37 dead animals after raiding the rescue centre Credit: Facebook / Essex Poilice


The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
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. 2 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. A spokesperson for the force said: "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. "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. "At this stage, we would urge the public to please refrain from speculation whilst our enquiries progress." is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.