Passaic County Freeholder: Ban The Sale Of Puppy Mill Dogs In N.J.

The Passaic County Freeholder Board is urging Governor Christie to approve legislation that would prohibit New Jersey pet stores from buying animals from puppy mills.

The Passaic County Freeholder Board unanimously approved a resolution urging Governor Christie to approve the legislation.

"Most of the pets in stores come from these mills. The inhumane conditions, over breeding, inbreeding, as well as the lack of food, water, and veterinary care leads to health and behavioral issues," said Freeholder Pat Lepore.

The issue of puppy mills has received widespread attention recently after police found 67 puppies in a van outside of the former Just Pups store in Paramus. Three or four dogs were crammed into cages so small they could not stand up. Others were covered in urine and feces, police said. The temperature inside the van was only 38 degrees.

Store owner Vincent LoSacco denied any wrongdoing and decided to close the store. East Brunswick officials revoked LoSacco's license to operate a Just Pups store there. There are two more Just Pups stores in Emerson and East Hanover. Emerson officials introduced legislation banning the sale of dogs bred at puppy mills at pet stores.

LoSacco owns a puppy breeding business in Missouri. That state's Department of Agriculture found several violations at the business.

Several Just Pups customers have come forward and complained that the animals purchased from the stores were sick and required months of medical attention before they were made well at costs well more than what they paid for the animals. One woman said a puppy purchased from a just Pups store dropped dead not long after she purchased it.

"Often times the pet owners are unable to deal with the financial and emotional burden of this previous neglect, and these pets find themselves in shelters," Lepore said.

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