CONVICTED (2012) | Javed Jahangir, born 05/06/1983, of 43 Milton Road, Chesham HP5 2ET and Sajid Mahmood, born 01/03/1983, formerly of Batchelors Way, Chesham and as of 2019 of 23 Victoria Road, Tipton, West Midlands DY4 8SN – admitted a series of offences relating to illegal dog fighting
Javed Jahangir and Sajid Mahmood were both jailed for offences the RSPCA described as “one of the most premeditated and barbaric forms of deliberate animal cruelty”.
A raid on Jahangir’s home in Milton Road led to officers finding a pitbull terrier-type dog – a breed banned by the Dangerous Dogs Act – and a computer containing footage showing the two men fighting dogs in fields thought to be close to their homes.
Habitual criminal Mahmood, who has previous convictions for violent street robbery and car theft was identified from the footage and this led to the RSPCA searching further properties in Chesham that he had links to.
There, officers found another pit bull terrier-type dog, muzzles, leads, computers, phones, cameras and media storage devices – all of which were seized.
Jahangir admitted four offences linked to animal fighting and one of having an illegal dog, while Mahmood pleaded guilty to three fighting-related charges and to having an illegal dog.
The operation to bring the pair to justice was a joint one between the RSPCA and Thames Valley Police.
Chief inspector Mike Butcher, of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “Dog fighting is one of the most premeditated and barbaric forms of deliberate animal cruelty. We are delighted that all of those who have been brought to justice have so far been given bans on keeping animals.
“Hopefully the combination of the bans and the custodial sentences will send a clear message to anyone who is involved in dog fighting, or is thinking about taking part.”
The Chiltern district’s area commander Chief Inspector Ian Hunter said: “This case came about as a result of concerns raised to police by local residents. I hope that today’s result shows that not only have we taken those concerns seriously, but that we and the RSPCA have used all the powers at our disposal to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.
“This type of inhumane offence will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police. I would urge anyone with information about this type of illegal activity to come forward and speak to police or the RSPCA immediately.”
Sentencing: jailed for 20 weeks; Jahangir was ordered to pay £5,000 in prosecution costs and Mahmood £1,500. Both men were banned from keeping animals for life.