A Harrogate woman has spoken of her devastation after her dog was among 41 pets found dead at a rogue animal rescue centre in Essex.
Emma Thompson, 41, had paid £650 to rehome her three-year-old Dalmatian Pointer, Lennon, at Save A Paw in Crays Hill.
Two months later, police raided the premises and discovered multiple dead dogs along with others in urgent need of veterinary care.
The centre’s operator, Oaveed Rahman, was jailed for five years after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to animals and multiple counts of fraud by false representation.
He has also been banned from keeping dogs and cats for life.
For Emma, the case is deeply personal. She said:
“Lennon must have been so scared and in pain - slowly starving to death."
Essex Police confirmed officers attended the address in May 2025, where they found animals in squalid conditions. The court heard some of the dogs may have died from starvation.
Emma said she surrendered Lennon after falling pregnant and becoming concerned about how he might behave around young children. She believed she was doing the right thing by placing him with what was described as a caring, family-run rescue.
She said:
“I believe he'd taken Lennon, locked him away in a kennel and left him to die. I was sending food for a dog that wasn't being fed.”
Rahman admitted animal cruelty offences relating to 21 dogs and a cat, as well as 11 fraud offences. The court heard he took thousands of pounds from owners under the promise of rehoming their pets.
Emma also questioned why action was not taken sooner.
“I know deep down this isn't my fault. But Obi [Rahman] should pay for what he did.
"I'm also disappointed by the fact that reports were made to Essex police, the RSPCA and Basildon Council for up to two years prior to raid. Why did it take so long to do something?”
Following the sentencing, the Attorney General confirmed the five-year prison term would not be increased.
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