State Files Suit Against Just Pups Owner, Claims He Knowingly Sold Sick Puppies

The state filed a six-count complaint against embattled Just Pups owner Vincent LoSacco, alleging that he misled customers about the health of puppies sold in his four North Jersey puppy stores.

Acting Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the state Division of Consumer Affairs are seeking to permanently ban LoSacco and Just Pups from advertising or selling animals in New Jersey. They also want financial restitution for consumers, civil penalties and reimbursement of attorneys' fees and investigative costs.

LoSacco has been under fire from local and state government and law enforcement officials since three dead dogs were discovered in the Just Pups East Brunswick store and 67 puppies were found in near-freezing conditions in a van outside the Paramus store earlier this year. Both stores are now closed, as is the Emerson store. The East Hanover store is still open.

“Vincent LoSacco’s alleged deceptive behavior caused his customers to suffer financially and emotionally as they sought expensive veterinary care for the sick puppies he sold them,” said Acting Attorney General Porrino. “This kind of consumer fraud has a devastating effect on pet lovers and will not be tolerated in our state.”

LoSacco and Just Pups face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each of the 32 violations mentioned in the complaint.

The alleged violations include:

• Refusing to reimburse customers for money paid for veterinary fees associated with the treatment of sick dogs.
• Misrepresenting dogs suffering from kennel cough, bronchitis and other conditions as being healthy.
• Lying on the Just Pups website that all animals were up to date on their vaccinations when they weren't.

LoSacco, a 50-year-old Emerson resident, also allegedly did not have a veterinarian reexamine puppies within three days of being delivered. He also failed to inform buyers that they had a legal right to recover the purchase price and veterinary costs for an animal that died or was deemed "unfit for purchase," the complaint alleges.

At least one puppy purchased from LoSacco died two months after it was purchased. Some customers have racked up more than $1,500 in veterinarian bills as a result of purchasing sick dogs from Just Pups stores.

State and local authorities charged LoSacco and his brother, Leonard, with 134 counts of animal cruelty after the puppies were found in the van outside the Paramus store. They have pleaded not guilty to those charges.

LoSacco was written up earlier this year for violating Missouri law regarding the keeping and sale of dogs and puppies. The violations ranged from having unhealthy dogs to not maintaining proper health records. He denies running a puppy mill and doing anything wrong.

Inspectors found three dead dogs inside a freezer at the Just Pups location in East Brunswick in January. The East Brunswick Town Council voted to permanently revoke Vincent LoSacco's health license March 28 and shut down the store.

The NJSPCA filed 267 animal cruelty charges against the East Brunswick store after the dead dogs were found there.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Sign up for Patch N.J. email newsletters here.

Related: 50 Dogs Found In Freezing Van Outside Paramus Puppy Store

Related: Just Pups Owner Charged With 134 Counts Of Animal Cruelty

Vincent LoSacco — YouTube screenshot