Ex West Ham footballer fined for owning dangerous dogs

Former West Ham footballer Said Benrahma has been fined £12,000 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs.

The dogs, both XL bullies, escaped from his home in Hornchurch, east London, and attacked a golden retriever and injured a man in July 2023, Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard.

Benrahma, who spent four seasons at the Hammers, appeared at court on Thursday by video link from a car in Saudi Arabia, where he now plays in the Saudi Pro League.

He said the dogs had escaped from a side gate which had been left open by someone working for him at the time.

Once out on the street, the court heard the dogs chased and attacked a golden retriever called Bailey which later needed vet treatment.

The dog’s owner, Luke Rehbin, suffered grazes to his arms and legs after grappling with Benrahma’s dogs, the court heard.

District Judge Matt Jabbitt said the incident must have been “very distressing” for the golden retriever’s owner, and fined Benrahma £5,000 for each of the attacks and ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Rehbin, plus £495 kennel costs.

The winger joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and scored 24 goals in 155 games for the club.

He later transferred to Lyon and then to his current team Neom.

He also plays for the Algerian national team.