NIJAMUL ISLAM'S HORRIFIC DOG ABUSE IN EDGWARE AND HERTFORDSHIRE REVEALED

Nijamul Islam, a man with a long history of animal cruelty, has once again come under scrutiny for his egregious treatment of dogs in the Edgware area and beyond. Born on February 19, 1973, Islam resided at 91 Farm Road, Edgware HA8 9LR, where he engaged in the illegal and inhumane keeping of numerous large-breed dogs, primarily for the security industry. His operations involved housing dozens of these animals in extremely cramped, filthy conditions, with little regard for their basic needs such as food and water.

Islam's criminal record concerning animal cruelty dates back to November 2012, when he was convicted of widespread abuse involving 173 dogs and puppies. At that time, he was operating under the name Vardalu Pet Hotel, based in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The animals involved included Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and American Bulldogs. His sentencing included a two-year suspended prison term and a decade-long ban on keeping dogs, reflecting the severity of his misconduct.

Footage from the RSPCA’s 2012 raid on Islam’s premises in Elstree vividly depicted the appalling conditions in which the dogs were kept. The investigation revealed that the animals were housed in filthy cages, covered in urine and feces, with inadequate bedding and no access to clean water or sufficient food. Many of the dogs were suffering from severe injuries or medical conditions, and tragically, some were found dead on the premises.

In October 2014, authorities uncovered further evidence of Islam’s neglect at Woodhill Farm, located on Stanstead Road, Great Amwell SG12 9RN. During this raid, a kennel maid was attacked by a Belgian shepherd and a German shepherd, both of which were later euthanized due to their “extremely aggressive nature.” The attack resulted in the kennel maid suffering life-threatening injuries requiring surgical intervention to save her arms. The same day, police officers and RSPCA inspectors entered the farm and discovered over a hundred dogs living in deplorable conditions.

According to reports presented in court, several individuals worked at the farm, where dogs were allegedly trained for use in the security industry. The conditions described by Judge John Plumstead were nothing short of shocking. The animals, some of which were puppies, were kept in cages that were filthy and lacked proper bedding. Many had no access to clean water or food, and the site contained dead dogs, highlighting the extent of neglect and cruelty.

As a result of the investigation, 40 dogs had to be euthanized due to their dangerous nature or severe medical issues. RSPCA inspector Steph Law described the conditions as “horrendously squalid,” emphasizing that most of the dogs had been left without basic necessities and had suffered injuries without receiving veterinary care. The inspector recounted the distressing scene of working alongside police over four days to rescue and rehome the animals.

Judge Plumstead condemned Islam’s repeated history of animal cruelty, describing his track record as “appalling.” He emphasized that these were not ordinary dogs; they were large, potentially aggressive animals kept in conditions that could only be described as scandalous. The judge also referenced a disturbing training video seized from Islam’s business, which showed him encouraging a large Alsatian-type dog to attack a man dressed in a bite suit. The footage depicted the dog biting with considerable force until called off by Islam himself.

Judge Plumstead made it clear that Islam’s activities were not legitimate business practices but rather a continuation of his pattern of neglect and cruelty. In July 2017, Islam was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, breaching a previous order disqualifying him from keeping dogs, and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. His original 10-year ban on keeping dogs, imposed in 2012, was extended, although it expired in 2022.

Islam’s case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of enforcement to protect vulnerable animals from such egregious abuse.