Just Pups Owner Closes Paramus Store Ahead Of License Hearing

PARAMUS, N.J. — Just Pups owner Vince LoSacco has closed his store after weeks of controversy surrounding the business. The move comes right before a Board of Health meeting tonight. The board could recommend that LoSacco's license to operate in the borough be revoked.

A notice on the business' website informed people of the store consolidating with the Just Pups Emerson location. LoSacco used to run four Just Pups locations, but only has stores in Emerson and East Hanover now, according to the website.

LoSacco did not return a message for comment left Sunday night.

LoSacco has been at the center of controversy after three dead dogs were found in a freezer inside his East Brunswick business in February. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed 267 animal cruelty charges against LoSacco. East Brunswick officials revoked LoSacco's license to operate there in March.

Another wave of controversy hit when Paramus police found 67 puppies in a van outside that store March 22. The puppies were crammed into small cages too small for them to even stand up in, police said. Others were covered in urine and feces and the temperature inside the van was a mere 38 degrees, police said in their report.

The dogs were taken to an animal hospital; some of them required immediate medical care, police said.

LoSacco's brother Leonard transported the dogs from the Just Pups puppy farm in Missouri and left the van outside the store, said Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal. The brothers were each charged with 134 counts of animal cruelty. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Bergen County Central Municipal Court May 10.

Customers have complained to the Better Business Bureau about the businesses for years. Several people said they racked up veterinarian bills for as much as the dogs cost. One woman said her puppy collapsed and died two months after she bought it. The businesses have drawn the ire of several animal rights groups. Several have protested at the stores.

The state of Missouri has written LoSacco up for several violations at his puppy farm there.

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