What started as a routine morning in Croydon quickly turned into a scene of horror when three massive dogs escaped from their enclosure, leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

The Turkish Kangals, known for their immense size and strength, went on a violent rampage—attacking a jogger, mauling his dog, and slaughtering chickens in a neighbor’s yard.

These dogs belonged to Dr. Anwar Ansari, a 67-year-old multi-millionaire and Labour Party donor, who had previously contributed £20,000 to support London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Despite having signed an agreement just months earlier promising to control his dogs, the unthinkable happened on July 23, 2023.

Terror in the Payne-James Household

The first victims of the attack were the Payne-James family, who woke up to chaos as the three dogs tore through their garden.

The enormous hounds broke an electric fence, stormed the yard, and mercilessly ripped apart the family’s chickens.

The children were terrified, forced to watch from inside their home as the dogs wreaked havoc.

Deone Payne-James, a psychotherapist, recalled how she screamed for her husband to stay inside, fearing for his safety.

She urged her children to look away from the traumatic scene and called the police.

The experience left her deeply shaken.

She testified in court that she now lives in constant fear, feeling unsafe even in her own home.

Simple activities like gardening now fill her with anxiety, and she worries about leaving her windows or doors open.

Brutal Attack on a Jogger and His Dog

After leaving the Payne-James property, the dogs made their way to Lloyd Park, where they set their sights on a husky-cross named Ziggy, owned by jogger Neil O’Rourke.

The unsuspecting runner had just let his dog out of the car when the three Kangals charged at them like a hunting pack.

O’Rourke acted quickly, throwing himself over Ziggy to shield him.

The dogs relentlessly bit him on his face, hands, and neck.

Witnesses rushed over to help shoo the animals away, but the damage had already been done.

O’Rourke suffered bite wounds and scars on his jaw, chin, and ear, while Ziggy narrowly escaped permanent injury.

Puncture wounds on his hind leg came within millimeters of his spine and internal organs.

Courtroom Drama and Sentencing

Dr. Ansari was summoned to the scene and later faced trial at Willesden Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutors argued that his dogs posed a serious threat to public safety and called for their destruction.

Ansari, who had already been warned about controlling his dogs after a previous escape incident in March, was found guilty on multiple counts of owning a dangerous dog.

His defense lawyer, Azra Khan, attempted to downplay the situation, suggesting that the Payne-James family’s panicked reaction may have aggravated the dogs.

She also pointed out that O’Rourke’s injuries, while serious, did not require stitches. However, the judge was not swayed.

Harsh Penalties and a Destruction Order

District Judge Mark Jabbitt held Ansari accountable for his negligence.

He ruled that the wealthy businessman had failed to properly secure or train his dogs, allowing them to terrorize innocent people and animals.

The judge emphasized that the dogs were not just pets but powerful animals that needed proper control.

As a result, Ansari was fined £1,000 for each attack that caused injury and £500 for each non-injury incident.

He was also ordered to compensate O’Rourke with £10,000 and the Payne-James family with £3,000.

In total, including legal fees and kennel costs, Ansari was hit with a staggering bill of £72,300.

Most devastatingly, the judge ruled that all three Kangals must be put down, stating that they posed an undeniable danger to the public.

Ansari, banned from owning dogs for the next ten years, now plans to appeal both the conviction and the penalties imposed on him.

What’s Next?

As Dr. Ansari prepares for an appeal, questions remain about whether the ruling will stand.

Will the court reconsider the fate of the dogs? Can Ansari argue for alternative accommodations?

For now, though, the verdict is clear: public safety comes first, and reckless pet ownership comes with heavy consequences.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn