APRILOUISE RUSHFORD'S CRUELTY IN SOUTHAMPTON LEAVES FRENCH BULLDOGS STARVING AND EMACIATED

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Aprilouise Toni Rushford, a resident of Southampton, was found guilty in 2025 of abandoning her two French bulldogs without providing them with essential care. Born on September 16, 1989, Rushford, who lived on London Road in Southampton City Centre SO15, left her pets in an empty house, neglecting their basic needs for food and water.

Her two dogs, a mother and her daughter named Cali and Crystal, were discovered in a deplorable state after the landlord of the property in Derby Road, Southampton SO14, noticed their absence and the conditions of the house. The landlord’s concern prompted a visit, which led to the heartbreaking discovery of the emaciated animals.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Story responded to the scene in January 2024. Upon entering the property, she reported hearing noises from inside. As she carefully opened the door, she was met with a distressing sight: a small French bulldog puppy, later identified as Crystal, was visibly extremely thin, with her ribs prominently showing. The room was in a filthy state, filled with faeces, and the puppy was desperately trying to escape by chewing at the door, which bore scratch marks indicating her frantic attempts to get out.

In an adjacent room, also cluttered and filthy with broken plates scattered across the floor, was an underweight adult French bulldog, Cali. Both dogs were severely dehydrated and showed signs of starvation. When water was offered, they drank eagerly, indicating their desperate need for hydration. The vet who examined the dogs after their rescue confirmed that both animals ate ravenously once food was provided, which underscored the neglect they had suffered. The vet noted that their poor condition was solely due to the lack of access to food and water, with no other medical issues involved.

Following their rescue, the dogs received immediate care. Crystal, who weighed just 3.3 kilograms at the time, doubled her body weight under the care of the RSPCA. Cali, weighing 7.3 kilograms, also gained a significant amount of weight, increasing by approximately a third. Both dogs responded well to a proper diet and hydration, quickly returning to healthier conditions. Inspector Story highlighted that their rapid weight gain demonstrated that their suffering was directly caused by neglect, with no lasting health issues resulting from their ordeal.

During the court proceedings, Rushford offered mitigation, explaining that she had been experiencing personal difficulties following the recent death of her grandmother. She also stated that she was temporarily staying elsewhere at the time of the neglect. Despite her explanations, the court found her responsible for the cruelty inflicted upon her pets.

As part of her sentence, Rushford received a five-year ban on keeping dogs, which will remain in effect until January 2030. The rescued dogs, Cali and Crystal, have since been placed in foster care with the RSPCA and are scheduled to be rehomed to loving families once they are fully recovered. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals.