A man from Mile End, London, has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to two cats and a dog by hitting, kicking, and stamping on them.
Sajidur Rahman, 27, of English Street, London E3, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 hours of rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. The hearing took place at Willesden Magistrates Court on 19 November 2024.
The incidents came to light after a member of the public provided two videos of cats being abused to the RSPCA. In February, the charity, accompanied by police, visited a one-bedroom ground-floor flat at Belle Vue Estate in Hendon, London NW4. The flat, described as smelling strongly of cat urine, was the home of Rahman’s partner’s father, though it showed signs that others also lived there.
RSPCA Inspector Nicole Broster described the conditions: “I noticed a litter box that was full of cat faeces in the hallway… There were three cats roaming the house: ‘Amir,’ a male brown rosetted Bengal cat; ‘Bonnie,’ a female tabby and white domestic cat; and ‘Pippin,’ a female elderly tortie domestic shorthair cat.”
Further investigation revealed a total of 22 cats and one dog, an apricot standard poodle named Ayda, living in poor conditions. Nineteen of the cats were found confined in a cluttered room with inadequate ventilation. Some were described as being in a “lean” condition, with prominent spines, ribs, and hips.
The animals were seized by the police along with a flip-flop resembling the one Rahman wore in the abuse videos. A third video was later supplied to the RSPCA showing further abuse. Veterinary expert Dr Sean Taylor reviewed the footage and detailed the suffering inflicted on the animals.
Dr Taylor reported that Rahman was seen kicking Ayda the poodle, causing her fear and distress. He also observed Rahman restraining, kicking, and abusing Amir the Bengal cat, and throwing another cat, Felix, to the ground before stamping on him. An x-ray revealed that Felix had suffered a fractured rib.
Dr Taylor concluded that all three animals experienced pain, fear, and distress. He said, “‘Ayda’ suffered fear and distress for at least a number of seconds, possibly longer. ‘Amir’ suffered pain, fear and distress for at least a number of hours, possibly longer. ‘Felix’ suffered pain, fear and distress for at least 10 days, possibly longer.”
Rahman and his ex-partner later moved out of the Hendon flat. The RSPCA rehomed most of the animals, while three cats remained in the care of his ex-partner’s father.
Inspector Broster said, “I found the footage severely distressing and it is deeply upsetting to see the abuse and fear these animals were subjected to. Thankfully all of the animals involved in the footage have found new loving homes. Rahman inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on these pets. Animals deserve to be shown kindness and respect. There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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