A man has been charged as part of an investigation which was launched after the discovery of the remains of 37 dogs at a property in Billericay.

Essex Police officers worked alongside colleagues from the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Council in response to a number of reports in relation to an address the Crays Hill area.

The partners carried out a joint visit to the property, in the Crays Hill area on Tuesday 13 May.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of fraud, relating to transfer of ownership of dogs, and animal cruelty offences.

Basildon neighbourhood policing officers worked with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) through the night, and we have now been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Ovaeed Rahaman, 25, of Hope Road, in Crays Hill, Billericay, with:

- Three counts of fraud by false representation

- Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

- An offence contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the duty of a person responsible for animal to ensure welfare.

He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 15 May. 

A second man who had been arrested during the joint visit has been released on bail until July with stringent conditions attached.

Inspector Steve Parry, of the Basildon neighbourhood policing team, said: “This has been an extremely intensive investigation – to have secured such significant charges within 36 hours of making an arrest is a real testament to the unwavering commitment of the officers here in Basildon.

“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, both online and in person.

“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. We have now set up a dedicated public portal through which we would ask for people to make contact.

“This will allow is to continue to collate key evidence as the case progresses through the justice system and I would urge people to please use this method to get in contact.”

Insp Parry added: “As I’ve said before, this is likely to be a complex and potentially far-reaching investigation, and one which we won’t be able to give running commentary – but we will endeavour to keep the public informed on this investigation when it is appropriate to do so.”