Woman arrested after 37 dead dogs found in 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 centre.

Essex Police said it had found four more bodies following the original police raid in May at a property in Crays Hill near Billericay.

The 25-year-old woman from London was arrested on Wednesday and was in police custody.

Oaveed 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 said.

The bodies of the dogs were found along with 21 live animals after joint inquiries with the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Council.

Police said the remains of four further animals were identified recently when buildings were dismantled by the landowner.

Detectives 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 public.

Insp 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."

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