SAIED ARAB CAUSES SUFFERING TO FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPY IN HARMONDSTWORTH, WEST LONDON

Saied Arab, a man born around 1988 and currently residing at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in Harmondsworth, Hillingdon, West London, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a young French bulldog puppy named King. The case highlights serious concerns about animal welfare and neglect within the area.

In May 2019, the RSPCA responded to a distress call in Chiswick after police officers handed over a visibly injured dog to a member of the public. The dog, only five months old at the time, was later identified as King. Upon examination, RSPCA Inspector Callum Isitt observed that the puppy was suffering from a broken leg, which had likely occurred three to four days prior to the rescue.

Inspector Isitt described the puppy’s condition in detail: “When standing, he raised his leg off the ground as if to avoid putting weight on it, despite already being on pain medication. The vet who initially examined King explained that his owner claimed the injury resulted from an accidental trip or kick, and that the dog had fallen down the stairs.”

The vet also noted swelling in King’s foot and that the puppy had yelped when touched. However, the owner, identified as Saied Arab, became irritated when the vet suggested further diagnostics, such as an X-ray, to determine whether the injury was soft tissue damage or a fracture. Despite the vet’s recommendation for pain relief, an X-ray, and further veterinary consultation, Arab refused to authorize any additional treatment and left the clinic.

This neglectful behavior led to Arab’s conviction for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, in violation of Section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The court found that Arab’s failure to seek proper veterinary care for King’s injury demonstrated a blatant disregard for the animal’s welfare.

Arab was scheduled to appear in court on February 2, 2021, for trial but failed to attend. As a result, a warrant was issued for his arrest. The court also issued a deprivation order, preventing Arab from keeping King, who has since been placed in RSPCA care. The puppy has been renamed Marcel and is now in a foster home, where he is expected to be adopted permanently.

Lisa Stokes, an RSPCA worker, along with her sister Joanne, has been caring for Marcel during this period. Lisa shared that Marcel enjoys relaxing with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier brother, Ben, and going on long countryside walks. She also mentioned that Marcel had been struggling to breathe and was unable to play until he underwent surgery to improve his respiratory function. Now fully recovered, Marcel is active, playful, and able to run freely.

Further details regarding sentencing are pending, but the case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in the Harmondsworth area.