Anti-Puppy Mill Legislation Passes Assembly, Heads To Christie's Desk

A bill changing how New Jersey pet stores conduct business and limiting where they get their dogs and cats from passed its biggest hurdle this week.

The state Assembly approved legislation that revises the Pet Purchase Protection Act (PPPA) and establishes new requirements for pet dealers and pet shops.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, sponsored the original legislation, which has undergone a number of changes since it was introduced in the Senate last January.

The bill originally sought to restrict the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores to those obtained from rescue organizations. The legislation now would limit what breeders pet stores can conduct business with.

Pet stores would be prohibited from doing business with any breeder not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or with breeders with three or more violations from the USDA.

Michael Bober, president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, said the council was "disappointed" that the Assembly passed the legislation.

"This bill, should it be signed into law, will do nothing to further protect animals and will only cause harm to small, family-owned pet stores already obeying the law," Bober said.

The bill would require pet rescue organizations to be registered with the state Department of Health. Organizations could not obtain animals from breeders or brokers in exchange or money or other compensation, under new guidelines outlined in the legislation.

Rescue organizations who violate the PPPA three times could have their license permanently revoked.

The legislation now heads to Governor Christie's desk for possible approval.

Bober said he would like Christie to veto the legislation.

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

The legislation was drafted in response to allegations of abuse and mistreatment of animals by several pet stores throughout New Jersey, including Just Pups. The chain and its owner, Vincent LoSacco, came under fire after more than 60 puppies were found in near-freezing temperatures in a van outside the chain's now-closed Paramus store.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office charged LoSacco with animal cruelty.

Three dead dogs were found in the freezer of the East Brunswick Just Pups last February. The town shut the store down and the NJSPCA filed 267 animal cruelty charges against it.

Other pet stores in Fairfield, Wayne, Middletown and Englewood came under fire last year for failing to adhere to the PPPA and were fined by the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

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Photo: Some of the puppies found in the near-freezing van outside of the Just Pups store in Paramus last January. — Courtesy of Paramus Police Department