A 25-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences after police found the remains of 37 dogs at an address in Essex.
Police officers, along with staff from the RSPCA and Basildon council, visited a property in the Crays Hill area of Billericay on Tuesday, where the remains were discovered, Essex Police said.
Around 20 live dogs were also found at the property. They are being cared for while attempts are made to locate their last-known owners, the force said.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of fraud relating to transfer of ownership of dogs and animal cruelty offences.
Ovaeed Rahman, of Hope Road in Billericay, has since been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He is also charged with three counts of fraud by false representation and an offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The second man arrested has been conditionally bailed until July.
More from Sky News:
Police search for mother of abandoned babies
Influencer shot dead during livestream
Follow our channel and never miss an update
Inspector Steve Parry, from 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.”
“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.”
Essex Police will keep the public informed “when it is appropriate to do so,” he added.
