CONVICTED (2017) | serial dog abuser Nijamul Islam, born 19/02/1973, of 91 Farm Road, Edgware HA8 9LR – kept dozens of large-breed ‘protection’ dogs in cramped, dirty conditions and without food or water
Islam ran a business supplying dogs to the security industry but kept them in filth and squalor and without food or water
Persistent animal abuser Nijamul Islam was first convicted of dog abuse on a massive scale in November 2012. Then trading as the Vardalu Pet Hotel based in Elstree, Herts, Islam was convicted of cruelty to 173 dogs and puppies, including Rottweilers, German shepherds, Belgian malinois and American bulldogs. He was given a two-year suspended prison term and banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Footage from the RSPCA’s 2012 raid on Islam’s then premises in Elstree, Hertfordshire
In October 2014 the authorities discovered he was keeping 102 dogs at Woodhill Farm, Stanstead Road, Great Amwell SG12 9RN after a kennel maid was attacked by a Belgian shepherd and a German shepherd. The victim was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries and required surgery to save her arms.
The two dogs concerned were later destroyed due to their “extremely aggressive nature”.
Both police officers and officers from the RSPCA entered the farm later on the same day where they discovered more than a hundred dogs being kept in “squalid” conditions.
Judge John Plumstead was told several people worked at the farm, where dogs to be used in the security industry were allegedly trained.
The judge was told the conditions for the animals were ‘appalling’ with filthy cages covered in urine and faeces.
The animals, some of which were puppies, had inadequate bedding and no access to clean water or food.
There were also dead dogs on the site.
Of the dogs found within the farm, 40 had to be put down either because they were deemed dangerous by the RSPCA or had severe medical conditions and were suffering.
RSPCA inspector Steph Law said: “The conditions the dogs were kept in were horrendously squalid. It was filthy and most of the dogs had been left without food and water.
“Sadly we also found that a number of the dogs were very badly injured and had been left to suffer without veterinary treatment.
“It was sickening to see the scale of suffering as we worked with the police over four days to remove the dogs and bring them into boarding.”
Judge Plumstead said Islam had an ‘appalling track record’ for neglect and cruelty to animals.
He said: ‘These were not everyday dogs. They were all large and potentially violent dogs.
‘These dogs were kept in dreadful conditions in a way which could only be described as scandalous.’
He said he had also seen a training video seized from Islam’s business, which showed him setting a large Alsatian-type dog across a field to attack a man wearing a bite suit.
Judge Plumstead said the dog had been ‘biting determinedly and with considerable force until it was called off by the defendant’.
He said: ‘This was not a legitimate business because he was in no position to legally be doing what he was doing.’
In July 2017 Nijamul Islam was jailed for two and half years after pleading guilty to two charges of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.
Islam also admitted being in breach of an order disqualifying him from keeping dogs and four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs.
Sentencing: two-and-a-half year jail term. Continuation of his original 10-year ban on keeping dogs imposed in 2012 (expired 2022).
#MostEvil | serial puppy killer Robert David Koch, born 7 August 1965, of 26B Lodge Rd, Hendon, London NW4 8DG – violently abused nine puppies by beating, choking and stabbing them.
Koch systematically abused puppies by beating, choking and stabbing them.
And despite being warned not to get any more dogs after horrified inspectors found a dead puppy in his bin with cable ties round his neck, Koch bought more to torture as he was investigated.
Hospital facilities manager Robert Koch was convicted of the systematic abuse of nine puppies, with one being continuously tortured over several months.
One dog, a female cockapoo, had her tail almost ripped off, hanging from a small part of skin and tendons, after Koch claimed they had been playing rough. The tail had to be amputated.
Another pup, a tan coloured pug cross called Petra, had her jaw broken after Koch claimed he fell on her by mistake.
The RSPCA said another dog had been continuously tortured over several months and had suffered from broken bones, haematomas and had bleach sprayed in his eyes.
Koch took the puppies to several different vets and it was only when one reported him to the RSPCA that the full scale of the torture was uncovered.
He pleaded guilty to abusing nine puppies between January and October 2015.
The court heard about another dog, a shih tzu cavalier cross called Max, who was taken to another vet, suffering with severe chest injuries. Koch was warned the pup could die if he wasn’t treated immediately.
Despite the vet’s warnings, Koch refused treatment and left saying he had to check the insurance. The police were contacted by the vet and the RSPCA attended Koch’s home in Hendon, North London.
Welfare officers found the bloodied remains of a puppy in Koch’s bin.
There they were horrified to find the remains of a male pup in the refuse bin outside. A cable had been tied around the puppy’s neck and used to choke him.
The court heard despite being warned by officials in June 2015 not to purchase any more animals while he was being investigated, Koch got more puppies.
Some of the dogs survived the torture and were able to be rehomed, but others had to be put down by vets.
Koch is a self-employed consultant to the healthcare and facilities management industries. He operates under the name RDK Consultants.
Koch’s lawyer, Cameron Collins of Noble Solicitors, said a lifetime ban on owning animals was not opposed by his client.
He said: “You are dealing with a man with questionable and weakened mental and emotional fortitude, who had been diagnosed with OCD.”
He told the court Koch, who is said to be the primary carer for his elderly parents, bought the puppies because he is “isolated from his wife and children” and they were intended to “provide companionship”.
He added: “He does not purchase the animals with the intention of treating them in this manner. He doesn’t use them for fighting. He has simply lost his temper with them and lost control.”
After the sentencing RSPCA DCI Nicole Broster, said: “This was one of the most disturbing cases I have ever worked on. This man systematically violently abused numerous puppies. At first glance it appeared that he was just an owner who had a mishap with his puppy.
“But after piecing bits of the jigsaw together I found a catalogue of events showing he would regularly take different puppies to different vets across the area – all with horrific injuries.
“One puppy had her tail almost completely ripped off, a second had been beaten so severely she has permanent brain damage and will have seizures for the rest of her life. Another had been continuously tortured over several months.
“Thankfully some of the puppies survived but others either died from their injuries or had to be put to sleep.”
“His property was visited by the police where we discovered he had thrown various items of puppy paraphernalia – such as puppy carriers, collars, bowls, medications and soiled puppy pads – into the street and into local communal bins. After being arrested Koch admitted to stabbing a puppy to death but later refused to comment on what he had done or give any further information.
“It really distresses me to think about the fear and pain these poor defenceless animals must have experienced.”
She added: “We are very relieved he has received a ban on keeping all animals for life so that hopefully his reign of terror over these animals can come to an end and he can cause no more suffering.”
Sentence: 26 weeks’ imprisonment; total of £165 in costs. Banned from keeping all animals for life.
Koch has also lived in Edgware and Stanmore areas of Greater London.
In June 2015 notorious Lincoln-based puppy farmers Little Rascals Pets Ltd (now Puppies at Home Ltd), a business owned and operated by cruel money grubbers Bridgett Dickens and Penny Swindells, posted a rambling, badly-written testimonial on their website from one Robert Koch.
Robert Koch’s testimonial on Little Rascals’ website (since removed)
Koch writes:
Following the BBC programme on puppy farming I was so hesitant when I arrived at Little Rascals as I did not know what to expect, especially as I had had such a bad experience with a puppy farm in Wales-Clunderwen, so upon my arrival at Little Rascals I did not know what to expect. Not only was I greeted at the railway station by a charming partner of the business who took me to the farm, but the same again at the farm. I looked around and felt so good immediately to see it was not converted horse stables being used but instead the cleanliness was incredible not only at the shop where you are welcomed but when you go to choose your puppy, the floors, walls and surroundings were spotless. No dog poo on the floor, fresh shavings on the floor not being sodden, with urine and the dogs in a happy and content and NOT stressed state.
As I am walked around, it got better with special lighting, proper man made cubicles to separate the breeds of dogs/litters and the walls to these were so spotless I could eat off them. You can see the care and attention having been taken to not only customer service, but to the dogs welfare was second to none, and honestly whoever reads this can call me or contact me and I will tell you the same. As you move on, there is no pressure for whatever you want to do. In walks a grandma and granddaughter purchasing a second puppy in the same week. Why I can see that, but the knowledge from the trainers is spectacular, especially if you have certain needs, i.e. height of dog, injections, etc, etc. The dogs leave with a blanket and a fully documented medical card, noti with any numbers written on it, but specific medical care /attention given to that particular dog, so when you take it away you know where you are with the dog and what the vet needs to administer to the dog and when.
I tell you no lie. I would be so comfortable sleeping on the floor in one of these cubicles. You can see a full expenses has gone to make this a successful business and one to last. Please if I beg of you one thing, go to this breeder. You will not be sorry and keep clear of the others who have not got any write up (sorry I know mine is long) but I am very passionate about doing the right things and wanted to share it with you all.
Kind regards.
Robert
Robert Koch MBIFM, IFMA, MEFMA, NEBOSH, MBIOs
Anyone with half a brain knows that puppy farmers don’t care who buys their dogs, and it’s highly likely this is where Koch sourced some if not all of his victims. No questions asked as long as you have the cash.
As at 2018 Koch maintains a profile on LinkedIn as a self-employed facilities manager specialising in healthcare. This is his profile:
Update | July 2023
Koch is registered as a befriender/mental health counsellor with council-backed charity Volunteering Barnet with the organisation featuring him more than once on their website and in various social media posts .
In June 2021 the charity uploaded a profile of Koch to their website to promote Volunteers’ Week. This described his work with vulnerable people and stated how he was working towards a career in counselling and psychotherapy.
In June 2023, to promote this year’s Volunteers’ Week , the charity shared a further profile of Koch entitled ‘Robert’s Story’ [since removed following a slew of complaints from the public] in which Koch tells us how his life now is “all about giving back and supporting people”.
We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK
