Brick Proposal Would Force Puppy Stores To Sell Only Rescue Animals

BRICK, NJ — Valerie Macaluso's voice cracked as she spoke to the Brick Township Council Tuesday night, recounting the story of Brody, the Rottweiler puppy she purchased at Breeders Association of America in March that died eight days later.

"I have three kids that fell in love with him in a day, and so did I," she said. "I'm just devastated."

Macaluso, of Beachwood, was one of several people who spoke at Tuesday's council meeting to share their concerns about the Route 70 store that has been the focus of growing complaints about sick puppies and questions about its business practices.

The store, which has been operating in Brick since 2007, sells puppies and pet accessories. It is licensed by Brick Township as a kennel. There have been a plethora of complaints about the store going back to not long after it opened. But it was the experiences of Macaluso and Anne and Brittany Reeves, the owners of a pomsky puppy named Cooper who died two weeks after Brody, that turned the spotlight on the store.

>> READ MORE: Puppy's Owners Want To Know: What Happened To Cooper?
>> What Happened To Cooper? Puppy's Owners Have Some Answers, But More Questions

In response, the Township Council approved the first reading of an amendment to its "Animals" ordinance that bans the sale of puppies and kittens in the township. That ordinance, approved in 2012, bans businesses from selling, delivering, offering for sale, bartering or auctioning cats or dogs. However, it included a clause for "legally existing nonconforming uses;" that clause allowed Breeders Association of America to continue to operate.

The amendment, which is scheduled for a second reading and approval at the township council's April 25 meeting, would remove that clause, limiting all retail sales of animals within the township to "seized, rescued or donated animals."

The change would force Breeders Association to change its business model, township officials said.

"I know a lot of people will question this, and ask how will they get purebreds," Councilwoman Lisa Crate said, speaking out in favor of the amendment. "There are so many reputable breeders to go to."

"This is my personal opinion: from a pet store you are getting the lowest common denominator of purebred for the highest possible prices," she said.

"I understand the need for Brick to support small business owners. I truly believe we are giving this business the opportunity to enhance their strengths," while eliminating issues that are giving the township a black eye, Crate said.

Supporters of Macaluso and Reeves and those involved with the Justice for Cooper Facebook group, which has been vocal in its opposition to Breeders Association in the wake of the issues Macaluso and Reeves faced, as well as a groundswell of similar reports — five puppies, including Cooper, that were sold by the store have now been documented as having tested positive for parvovirus, a highly contagious virus that is very dangerous especially to puppies, veterinary technician Jennifer Doherty, told the council — praised the council for the amendment.

Breeders Association has been under quarantine by the Ocean County Health Department since April 4 in the wake of Cooper's positive post-mortem parvo test. The quarantine ends April 28; the store's business license is up for its annual renewal in June. The store was permitted to remain open to sell merchandise — leashes, food, cages, and such — during the quarantine, but the store has been closed.

If the council approves the amendement at next Tuesday's council meeting, it would take effect 20 days after it is published in a newspaper.

Activists are planning a candlelight vigil Wednesday, April 19, to bring attention to Cooper's death, as well as a protest at the store on Saturday, April 22. The vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, and the protest is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.

Puppies inside Breeders Association of America after the Ocean County Health Department issued the quarantine order April 4. Photo by Karen Wall