FAKE Charity Starved 41 Pets to Death

A puppy and a kitten sitting together in front of colorful flowers

A fake animal charity operator in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to five years in prison after defrauding trusting pet owners and allowing 41 dogs and one cat to die from starvation in what a veterinarian described as the “most horrific” scene of animal cruelty she had ever witnessed.

Story Snapshot

Oaveed Rahman operated a fake rehoming center called Save A Paw UK, collecting nearly £5,000 from pet owners across 20 counties while starving their animals to death
Police discovered 41 dead animals and 21 emaciated survivors surrounded by carcasses, maggots, and rats at the Essex property in May 2025
Rahman pleaded guilty to 21 counts of animal cruelty and 11 counts of fraud, receiving a five-year jail sentence at Basildon Crown Court
The case exposes dangerous gaps in social media charity oversight, where unregulated Facebook pages operate without accountability or verification

Fake Charity Exploits Pet Owners Across Two Dozen Counties

Oaveed Rahman, 26, systematically defrauded desperate pet owners through his Facebook page “Save A Paw,” which featured fabricated positive reviews to establish false credibility. Rahman charged surrender fees ranging from £300 to £500 per animal while promising professional rehoming services and training updates. Victims from across 20 counties trusted Rahman with their beloved pets, paying approximately £4,800 in total fees and donations. Once Rahman received the animals and payments, he blocked contact with the owners and left the dogs to suffer and die in squalid conditions at his Crays Hill property in Billericay, Essex.

Police Raid Reveals Unimaginable Horror at Rural Essex Property

On May 13, 2025, police and veterinarian Amy Cooper raided Rahman’s property after receiving welfare complaints. The smell of rotting flesh was detectable from 40 meters away. Inside, authorities discovered 37 dead dogs initially, with four more found later, plus one deceased cat. Twenty-one emaciated dogs were found alive in feces-filled pens, starving despite visible food supplies nearby that they could not access. Three dogs required immediate euthanasia due to their suffering, and one poodle was later blinded from the neglect. Cooper testified the scene represented the “most horrific” case she had encountered, describing the mental torment animals endured while starving next to inaccessible food.

Prosecutor Questions Sadistic Power Motive Behind Deliberate Cruelty

Prosecutor Tom Godfrey told Basildon Crown Court that Rahman’s actions suggested deliberate choices rather than mere negligence. The presence of food supplies on the property indicated Rahman was creating inhuman conditions intentionally, possibly deriving satisfaction from exercising power over helpless animals. Despite Rahman’s defense citing depression as a factor in his behavior, the judge, probation officers, and psychiatrists all concluded his motive remained “impossible to understand.” Rahman appeared via video link from HMP Chelmsford to plead guilty to 21 animal cruelty counts, 11 fraud counts, and an additional charge of owning an XL Bully fighting dog, receiving a five-year prison sentence.

Victims Suffer Lasting Emotional Devastation From Betrayal

Pet owners who entrusted their animals to Rahman continue experiencing profound guilt and trauma. Victim Tina Davis provided an impact statement describing how she tortures herself daily wondering if she will ever forgive herself for surrendering her dog to Rahman. Another victim, Ms. Thompson, paid £300 plus a £200 donation believing her pet would receive proper care and training. Instead, these trusting owners unknowingly sentenced their beloved companions to death by starvation. Local MP Richard Holden for Basildon and Billericay expressed the community’s incomprehension at Rahman’s actions, reflecting widespread outrage at the betrayal of vulnerable pet owners seeking help during difficult circumstances.

Case Exposes Dangerous Gaps in Social Media Charity Regulation

This horrific case highlights critical weaknesses in how informal animal rehoming operations advertise and operate through social media platforms without meaningful oversight or verification requirements. Unlike established charities subject to regulatory scrutiny, Facebook pages like “Save A Paw” can fabricate credentials and reviews to appear legitimate while operating fraudulent schemes. The 20-county reach of Rahman’s victims demonstrates how easily predators exploit trusting pet owners through unregulated online platforms. This case should serve as a wake-up call for stronger verification standards and accountability measures for any organization soliciting money or animals through social media, protecting both vulnerable animals and the families who care about their welfare from similar fraudulent operations.