A man has been charged after the remains of 37 dead dogs were discovered at a property believed to be a rescue centre in Essex.
The grim find was made during a police raid at a property in the Crays Hill area near Billericay on Tuesday.
Officers also found 20 living dogs in need of veterinary treatment at the same location.The raid was carried out by Essex Police in conjunction with the RSPCA and Basildon Council.
Following the discovery, the surviving dogs were taken for veterinary treatment, police said.
Officers from Essex Police attended the scene
Essex Police
Oaveed Rahman, 25, of Hope Road, Crays Hill, has been charged with three counts of fraud by false representation and two animal cruelty offences.
The fraud charges relate to the "transfer of ownership of dogs", according to Essex Police.
Rahman has also been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in the duty to ensure an animal's welfare.
He appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday and is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on June 9.
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Basildon Council has announced it is launching an internal inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the raid and determine what the council knew about the situation. The scope of the inquiry will include any communications or complaints received regarding the organisation.
Aidan McGurran, Labour cabinet member for environment and leisure, said the council was "committed to understanding all aspects of this deeply troubling incident".
"We've seen comments from residents on social media suggesting they had raised concerns with the council previously," he added.
The council is reviewing all complaints received in the past two years to determine if any information was overlooked.
Officers said a large number of reports had been submitted through the dedicated portal, which are now being reviewed. A second man arrested in connection with the investigation has been released on bail until July, Essex Police said.
Detectives are now working to locate the last-known owners of the dogs involved in the case.
Inspector Steve Parry, who is leading the investigation, emphasised the emotional impact of the case and urged members of the public not to speculate on the case.
He said: "Please understand this is a complex investigation with parameters which are widening by the hour and it is not something we will rush – out of fairness to everyone who has been in touch."
