Bergen Couple Files Lawsuit Against Just Pups Owner

PARAMUS, N.J. — A Bergen County couple has filed a lawsuit against Just Pups owner Vincent LoSacco and is seeking tens of thousands of dollars in damages and reimbursements after the dog they purchased from the store died a month later.

The lawsuit is the latest legal issue for LoSacco, who has been at the center of criminal and civil proceedings since April when police found 67 puppies crammed inside cages in a van outside the now-closed Paramus store.

RELATED: Dogs Found In Freezing Van Outside Paramus Puppy Store: Police

The lawsuit names LoSacco, Just Pups, and 10 "John Doe businesses and individuals" as defendants.

Neal and Sharon Berger purchased a puppy named "Cuddles" from the Paramus store Feb. 20 that "appeared healthy," the complaint alleges. The Bergers learned two days later from a veterinarian that the dog was "extremely ill" and they took the dog to Cresskill Animal Hospital Feb. 23 and 25.

The dog was diagnosed with pneumonia and taken to Oradell Animal Hospital and eventually to Yonkers Animal Hospital in New York. The couple spent $8,000 to treat the dog, but it died March 24.

Two veterinarians issued certificates stating that the dog was "unfit for sale," according to the complaint.

"As domestic pet sellers, the defendants knew or should have known that the dog was unfit for sale," the complaint states.

The defendants misrepresented the dog's fitness and "knowingly omitted information" about it when the puppy was sold to the couple.

"I think the case in winnable," said Elliott Malone, the Berger's attorney. "He allegedly violated the Pet Purchase Protection Act and the Consumer Protection Act."

The family is seeking upwards of $50,000 in damages, which include the cost of purchasing and caring for the dog, which could end up being triple the amount spent, as allowed by law, along with legal fees and expenses, Malone said.

RELATED: Customer Said Dog From Just Pups Dropped Dead After 2 Months

Other people have reported that dogs purchase from Just Pups have died within weeks of being bought.

One person who purchased a Mati-Poo puppy from the Emerson store was out walking with the dog when it “collapsed and died instantly.” The dog allegedly died from a congenital lung malformation that caused the dog’s lung to fill up with blood and burst.

Dozens of people filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau against Just Pups. Several dogs reportedly had dislocated kneecaps. One dog was so sick she couldn’t lift her head off the ground. A few people said their dogs had pneumonia, according to the complaints.

The lawsuit the latest in a series of legal proceedings LoSacco has been forced to endure since the 67 puppies were discovered. LoSacco used to run Just Pups stores in Paramus, East Brunswick, and Emerson.

LoSacco pleaded guilty to four health-code violations and must pay $19,000 in restitution related to the incident. He originally faced hundreds of charges, but the majority of them were dropped, according to a report.

The NJSPCA filed 267 animal cruelty charges against the East Brunswick store after inspectors found three dead dogs inside a freezer there in January. The East Brunswick Town Council revoked LoSacco's health license March 28 and shut the store down.

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

The Paramus Board of Health issued more than 400 summonses against LoSacco and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office filed 134 animal cruelty charges against him after the dogs were discovered inside a near-freezing van, police said. LoSacco's brother, Leonard, admitted leaving the dogs in the van outside the store after transporting them to New Jersey from out of state, authorities said.

LoSacco agreed in July to close the Emerson location and the Paramus store was also closed. The East Hanover store is the only one left open.

LoSacco has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing regarding any of the charges filed against him.

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Photo: "Cuddles," the dog Neal and Sharon Berger purchased from the Just Pups Paramus store. — Courtesy of Elliott Malone/Vincent LoSacco — YouTube screenshot