Former West Ham footballer Said Benrahma has been fined £12,000 after his dogs attacked a golden retriever.
The 30-year-old pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court to two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs after the incident in July 2023 when he lived in Hornchurch, East London.
The dogs, which the court was told are both XL bullies, chased and attacked a golden retriever called Bailey which had needed vet treatment.
The dog’s owner, Luke Rehbin, suffered grazes to his arms and legs after grappling with Benrahma’s dogs on the ground, Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard.
Benrahma said the dogs escaped from a side gate which had been left open by someone working for him at the time.
He appeared at court today by video link from a car in Saudi Arabia, where he now plays for Saudi Pro League side Neom.
The Algeria winger joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020 and registered 24 goals in 155 games for the club.
Benrahma is pictured with his dogs Ghost and Cali in an image he shared on Instagram
The former West Ham man is charged with two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs
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, ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Rehbin plus £495 kennel costs.
Punishments could range from an unlimited fine to prison time, or even having to euthanise the dogs .
Benrahma regularly posts pictures of himself with his pets, named Ghost and Cali, on social media.
Benrahma became West Ham’s third most expensive signing of all time when he joined the club for £30million from Brentford in 2021.
The Algerian-born star scored 24 goals in 155 games for the Hammers before spending a season on loan at Lyon in Ligue 1 and they made the deal permanent for £12m.
The winger then struggled to break into the team and was loaned to Saudi Arabian side Neom SC, who paid £13m to make the transfer in April after they had won promotion to the top flight.
