LITHUANIANS RAIMUNDAS, EDGARAS AND SIGITAS PAZDRAZDIS CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DAGENHAM

In 2022, Raimundas Pazdrazdis, his son Edgaras Pazdrazdis, and Raimundas's brother Sigitas Pazdrazdis, all residents of 100 Sterry Road, Dagenham RM10 8NT, were found guilty of operating an illegal puppy farm and subjecting dogs to inhumane conditions.

A photograph shows Sigitas Pazdrazdis (left) alongside Raimundas and Edgaras Pazdrazdis.

Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council discovered nine dogs during their investigation, which included huskies, pit bull terriers (being sold as Staffordshire bull terriers), and a French bulldog. These animals were kept in appalling conditions, with some chained or confined in very small cages surrounded by their own feces. Others were housed in a dirty bathroom.

The trio initially pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to animal cruelty but were ultimately convicted following a trial.

The council was prompted to investigate after a complaint in October 2019 about a puppy purchased from the farm that quickly fell ill. The complaint initiated an investigation into unlicensed dog breeding activities.

Raimundas faced 16 charges and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 300 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping dogs for seven years and ordered to pay costs of £75,000 within 12 months. His six dogs were confiscated, and due to the dangerous classification of three pit bulls, those animals are scheduled to be euthanized.

Sigitas, who owned two of the dogs, was convicted on 13 charges. He received a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and a five-year ban on keeping dogs. His two dogs were removed, including one pit bull scheduled for euthanasia. He was ordered to pay costs of £7,500, payable at £200 per month.

Edgaras was given a 12-month community order, including 60 hours of unpaid work, and a ban on keeping dogs for three years. He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,500, payable at £50 per month.

In February 2024, following an appeal hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 19 February, Edgaras Pazdrazdis’s conviction was overturned. Edgaras, a teacher living on Siviter Way, Dagenham, was represented by Alex Weller of Nigel Weller & Co.