Benrahma pleads guilty to owning dangerously out of control dogs

Former West Ham winger Saïd Benrahma has pleaded guilty to two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs after the animals escaped from his Hornchurch home and attacked a golden retriever in July 2023. At Willesden Magistrates Court on Thursday, the 30 year old admitted the offences and was fined and ordered to pay compensation and kennel costs.

The court heard that Benrahma’s two XL bully dogs pursued and attacked a golden retriever called Bailey in the street, leaving the smaller dog in need of veterinary treatment. Bailey’s owner, Luke Rehbin, suffered grazes to his arms and legs after grappling with the dogs on the ground, the hearing was told. Benrahma said the dogs had escaped through a side gate that had been left open by a person working for him.

District Judge Matt Jabbitt described the episode as having caused significant distress to the dog’s owner and imposed a £5,000 fine for each offence. The judge also ordered Benrahma to pay £2,500 in compensation to Mr Rehbin and £495 in kennel costs, bringing the total financial penalties to £12,995.

Benrahma appeared at the magistrates court by video link from a vehicle in Saudi Arabia, where he is currently playing for...