JACOB MURPHY, MICHAEL RUSHMER AND ZOE RUSHMER'S HORRIFIC PUPPY FARM IN NORWICH EXPOSED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Norwich, a group of individuals involved in illegal puppy farming has been brought to justice for their heinous treatment of animals and fraudulent practices. The offenders, Jacob Murphy, born on June 14, 1992, and residing at Poppys Place, The Street, Norton Subcourse, along with Zoe Rushmer, born on February 10, 1993, also of Poppys Place, and Michael Rushmer, born on October 9, 1991, of Home Farm, Low Road, Norwich, were found guilty of operating a large-scale illegal puppy breeding operation.

These individuals kept a total of 74 dogs and puppies in deplorable conditions, including dark sheds, cages, and a caravan, with temperatures soaring up to 30 degrees Celsius. The animals were subjected to neglect and suffering, many of whom were visibly ill or dying. The illegal farm was located at the Rushmers' property on Low Road, Norwich, where the RSPCA uncovered the shocking extent of the cruelty. The charity removed numerous animals, some pregnant with litters of up to 20 puppies, highlighting the scale of the operation.

The gang claimed to have bred the puppies in a family environment, and they managed to generate approximately £300,000 from their sales. The puppies, which had an average selling price of around £675, were advertised as healthy, socialized, and treated for common ailments such as worms and fleas. However, many of these puppies were suffering from severe health issues, including the potentially fatal parvovirus, which was deliberately concealed from buyers. The fraudulent scheme involved advertising sickly and diseased puppies as healthy, leading to many owners incurring substantial veterinary bills or losing their pets shortly after purchase.

Evidence presented in court revealed that during a raid in 2017, authorities found dogs confined in cages, some in pitch-dark sheds with no access to natural light, and others in a caravan exposed to extreme heat. The investigation uncovered that the offenders had been selling puppies online since at least 2012, with Michael Rushmer actively involved in the trade through social media platforms like Facebook.

The court heard that Jacob Murphy was the ringleader of this operation, having admitted to three animal welfare offences. Michael Rushmer was described as Murphy’s deputy, if not his equal, and Zoe Rushmer was portrayed as the face of the enterprise, often meeting buyers with her four young children, aged between four and ten. Zoe also admitted to ten animal welfare offences, including offenses committed while on bail, and operating a pet shop and breeding establishment without a license. Despite her remorse, the judge, Andrew Shaw, remarked that her children were the only reason she avoided imprisonment, emphasizing the severity of her involvement.

Jean Boyes, another individual linked to the case, admitted to a single fraud charge after taking a litter of seven puppies for inoculation and received a two-year conditional discharge. Meanwhile, charges against David Green and Carole Rushmer were dropped, although Carole was later convicted of cruelty offences in October 2019 and received a curfew and a two-year ban on dealing in dogs.

Judge Shaw condemned the operation, stating that the fraud, which began as early as 2015, undermined the nation’s love for pets, especially dogs. He described the scheme as “callous and mean-spirited,” emphasizing the cruelty involved in selling dogs that were often so sick that many did not survive. The judge’s words underscored the gravity of the case, which struck at the core of animal welfare and public trust.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Amy Pellegrini described the farm as a “puppy factory,” criticizing the false advertising that misled families into believing they were purchasing well-bred, healthy puppies. The inspector highlighted that the animals had been bred in disgusting conditions with little regard for their health or welfare, solely driven by profit.

Jacob Murphy and Michael Rushmer received custodial sentences of 42 months each, while Zoe Rushmer was given a two-year suspended sentence coupled with 250 hours of unpaid work. All three were banned from keeping animals for life. Jean Boyes was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge. The court’s decision marked a significant victory for animal welfare advocates and the RSPCA’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal puppy farming in Norwich and beyond.

On June 28, 2019, Zoe Rushmer was called back to court after posting disrespectful comments on social media about the case. She was pictured wearing a balaclava outside court, boasting that she would “wing it,” and gloating about her “freedom” after receiving her suspended sentence. Judge Shaw expressed concern over the social media posts, indicating they suggested she was attempting to evade accountability. Although no additional punishment was imposed, the judge made it clear that he had considered further sanctions, emphasizing the seriousness of her actions and the close call in her sentencing.