- Florida, USA -
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release that on October 6, deputies arrested 59-years-old RUTH ANNE RUPPRECHT (pictured below).
RUPPRECHT, is an animal rescuer and owner of SAFFARI (Save A Furry Friend Animal Rescue, Inc.).
An investigation into RUPPRECHT began in May 2021, after a puppy was adopted from her organization and died a few days later.
In a news release of September 17, 2021, the sheriff’s office wrote that RUPPRECHT adopted out a young puppy for a fee and a few days later, the adopter contacted her to let her know that the puppy was ill. RUPPRECHT then sent the adopter a bottle of prescription Azithromycin and shortly after, the puppy died of Parvovirus.
In a statement to Deputy First Class Williams, RUPPRECHT advised that the puppy medication she mailed was provided to her in a “donation box” for her rescue business.
FCSO Detective Annie Conrad then visited RUPPRECHT’s residence, also the registered address for SAFFARI, and advised her that it was illegal to dispense and mail antibiotics. RUPPRECHT assured Detective Conrad that it wouldn’t happen again.
Unfortunately, that was not the case and it turned out that RUPPRECHT continued to sell large quantities of medications from her residence. Furthermore, Detective Conrad received an email from the Bureau of Compliance, Division of Consumer Services with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and she learned that RUPPRECHT’s animal rescue was no longer registered with them as a charitable organization making it illegal to accept donations or contributions.
On September 15, 2021, Major Case Detectives opened an additional investigation on RUPPRECHT after a search warrant was served at 6 West 16th Road and 116 Sanchez Avenue in Palm Coast.
The search warrant was initially for the sale of prescription narcotics being sold from the residence.
The sheriff’s office said that during the search warrant, more than $20,000 cash, over 100 prescription medications, twenty-eight cats, seventeen dogs, and a squirrel were seized from the property. Sadly, one kitten was found lifeless.
The furbabies were found to be living in filthy conditions, they were all ill, and needing medical attention.
Animal Control was notified and responded. Since the poor souls were seized, another kitten died. Necropsy results are pending.
The Flagler County Humane Society is monitoring the conditions of all these voiceless victims.
The conditions of the animals found during the search led detectives to open another investigation for animal cruelty which ultimately resulted in a felony arrest warrant for RUPPRECHT for new animal cruelty and drug charges on October 5, 2021.
RUPPRECHT was arrested on ten counts of cruelty to animals, possession of morphine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a legend drug with Intent to sell, and dispense, or deliver.
Online records show RUPPRECHT was released the day after her arrest after posting bond.
Flagler County Sheriff Sheriff Rick Staly said: “Here’s a lady that uses innocent animals to support her drug-dealing by using them to purchase prescription medications and sell the drugs to human customers for personal use. This is also why you should always thoroughly check out all non-profits you support to make sure they are legitimate. This was a sad situation for all the animals involved but I’m glad to see they’ve been taken to safety. Hopefully, this woman never gets to own an animal again and gets to spend time behind bars for thinking she can sell drugs in Flagler County and neglect animals.”
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