Just Pups Owner Keeps North Jersey Store Open, Despite Not Having License: Report

EMERSON, N.J. — The embattled owner of the Just Pups store received summonses this weekend from police for operating without a license.

Protesters picketed outside Vincent LoSacco's business with signs that said "No license, still open," The Record reported.

The Emerson store is one of only two left LoSacco has left. Paramus officials worked out a settlement where LoSacco agreed to turn in his business license to operate in the borough after 67 puppies were found in near-freezing temperatures inside a van in the store's parking lot in April, police said.

LoSacco and his brother were charged with 134 counts of cruelty to animals after the puppies were discovered inside the van.

LoSacco also owned a Just Pups in East Brunswick, but the Town Council revoked his license to run that store in March. Inspectors found three dead dogs inside a freezer at that location.

Emerson became the first municipality in the county to pass an ordinance banning the sale of puppies bred at mills, but LoSacco has said such pieces of legislation do not apply to him since he does not own or operate puppy mills. Wyckoff recently passed a similar ordinance.

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LoSacco filed for a new license to operate the Emerson June 29, the day before the license was to expire, The Record reported. The Borough Council could decide on July 12 whether to renew the application or not.

LoSacco said in the report that he did "everything according to the law."

These puppies were two of more than 60 found in a van outside Just Pups in Paramus in March. Patch file photo