CAROLE RUSHMER'S CRUELTY IN THURLTON: PUPPY FARM SCANDAL LEAVES DOGS SUFFERING AND FAMILY BEHIND BARS

In a significant case of animal cruelty and illegal puppy farming, Carole Rushmer, a resident of Thurlton, has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to multiple dogs on her family-run puppy farm. Born on November 8, 1959, Rushmer, who resides at Home Farm, Low Road, Norwich NR14 6PZ, was sentenced to a two-year ban on purchasing or selling dogs, a measure aimed at preventing further abuse.

Rushmer admitted to her involvement in the mistreatment of four dogs kept at her farm in Thurlton, a small village near Norwich. The court heard that her actions were part of a larger scam orchestrated by her family members, which generated over £300,000 in illicit profits. Her relatives—Zoe Rushmer, Michael Rushmer, and Jacob Murphy—had already been sentenced for their roles in the operation, which involved selling sick or dying puppies under false pretenses, claiming they came from a loving family environment.

The court was shown disturbing evidence of the dogs' conditions. The puppies, many of whom had been rehomed, exhibited severe health issues, including signs of worms, matted fur covered with excrement, and burns on their skin. The magistrates were told that the conditions in which these animals were kept were deplorable. The RSPCA inspector Amy Pellegrini, who had investigated the case over a span of four years, described some of the puppies as “emaciated,” highlighting the severity of neglect.

During the raid, the RSPCA removed a total of 74 dogs from the farm, including several pregnant bitches. One of these pregnant dogs was found to have had 93 puppies, underscoring the scale of the breeding operation. Inspector Pellegrini expressed her shock at the conditions, stating, “Being that age, they were very lucky to be alive in those conditions. That’s not something that we see every day. To see something like that is very upsetting.”

In June 2019, Jacob Murphy, Michael Rushmer, and Zoe Rushmer were sentenced for their roles in the scam. They had been selling puppies that were either ill or near death, falsely claiming they were from a caring family environment. The court heard that some of the animals were kept in cages, dark sheds, and even a caravan, with temperatures soaring up to 30°C (86°F).

As part of their sentences, Murphy and Michael Rushmer received 42 months in prison each, while Zoe Rushmer was handed a two-year suspended sentence. All three individuals were also banned from keeping animals for life. Additionally, Rushmer was subjected to a 14-week curfew and a two-year ban on buying or selling dogs, which expired in 2021.

Overall, this case highlights the ongoing issues of illegal puppy farming and animal cruelty in the Norwich area, with authorities emphasizing the importance of vigilance and enforcement to prevent such suffering in the future.