Owner Plans On Keeping Remaining Just Pups Bergen Store Open

Vincent Losacco plans on keeping his Emerson business open despite the Borough Council making it illegal for pet stores there to sell pets obtained from puppy mills.

Losacco said that Just Pups already meets the criteria of not being a puppy mill so there is no reason why his business can’t remain open.

“We plan on staying in business,” said Losacco.“It is not the number of dogs you own or where you get them from, but the level of care they receive.”

Just Pups’ license to operate in Emerson is going to expire soon and Losacco plans on reapplying for one.

Emerson borough administrator Robert S. Hoffmann did not respond to a request for comment.

Losacco has been at the center of controversy since 67 puppies were found in near-freezing temperatures in a van outside his Just Pups Paramus store in April. Some of the dogs were covered in urine and feces. Cages in the van had multiple dogs inside each one. Police discovered the dogs while patrolling the parking lot near the store.

Losacco and his brother were each charged with 134 counts of animal cruelty after the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation into the incident.

Losacco used to own four Just Pups store. Now, only two are open, in Emerson and East Hanover.

Losacco closed the Paramus store. The East Brunswick store was shut down after local officials revoked Losacco’s license after three dead dogs were found in a freezer inside the business.

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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