April 06, 2016
New Jersey authorities have launched an investigation into a Paramus, Bergen County, pet store after more than 60 dogs were allegedly found in a van parked outside the store without food, water or adequate heat on Monday.
According to People Magazine, the pet store chain is Just Pups and is owned by Vincent LoSacco, who was previously charged by the New Jersey SPCA with 269 counts of animal cruelty. New Jersey SPCA spokesman Matt Stanton told People Magazine previous charges involved officials allegedly found three dead dogs in Just Pups' freezers that had not been recorded.
On Monday, two Paramus police officers stumbled upon a parked van and allegedly heard the cries of animals and smelled the stench of urine and feces.
Police said they found more than 60 dogs in metal cages, many allegedly with no food or water. While there was a space heater in the van, police said it did not provide any heat, as the temperature inside the van was 38 degrees – 3 degrees higher than the temperature outside.
The animals were immediately transferred to the Oradell Animal Hospital, where they were individually evaluated and are being cared for, Nancy Miles, director of staff development at Oradell, told People Magazine.
The Paramus store was closed on Monday.
While no charges have been filed, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident, People Magazine reported.
LoSacco also owns three other Just Pups stores in Morris and Middlesex counties.
An online petition to close the Just Pups stores has garnered more than 164,500 supporters as of Wednesday. According to the petition, the East Brunswick Township Council has since voted unanimously to rescind LoSacco's business license for the Middlesex store.
Read the full People Magazine report here.
