The owner of the Just Pups stores, Emerson resident Vincent LoSacco, settled in court with the attorney general and Division of Consumer Affairs to never sell animals, advertise or consult, whether paid or unpaid, for any business that sells animals in the State of New Jersey again, the office of Attorney General Christopher Porrino reported in a press release.
Further, LoSacco agreed to pay a settlement of $326,000 for damages caused by alleged acts of consumer fraud he committed through his business, according to Porrino, as LoSacco “misled customers about the health of the puppies they sold, failed to reimburse consumers for animals that got sick or died, and committed dozens of other acts of consumer fraud.” Porrino said, “By permanently banning [LoSacco] from New Jersey’s pet sales industry, we are not only protecting consumers from fraud, we are shielding families from the heartache of unwittingly purchasing a sick puppy and then being forced to choose between paying costly vet fees or losing their pet.”
The settlement resolved allegations filed by the state last year, alleging that LoSacco and Just Pups sold sick or defective animals in East Brunswick, East Hanover, Emerson and Paramus. According to the press release, the dogs were misrepresented as healthy, but actually suffered from Kennel Cough, Parvo, Bronchitis and Giardia.
Even with veterinary certifications stating that animals were unfit for sale, Porrino said that LoSacco refused to reimburse his customers. He allegedly acted the same in regard to animals who had died from congenital or hereditary causes within six months of purchase, Porrino said. According to the attorney general, LoSacco was charged by state and local authorities with more than 400 counts of animal cruelty and neglect.
Porrino said investigators found a gravely ill, emaciated puppy in a cage at the East Brunswick store that later died, and, in another instance, 60 puppies were left unattended in small crates inside a cold van outside of the Paramus store in April. LoSacco was also charged with hundreds of health code violations, Porrino said.
LoSacco faced much backlash from community members over the past two years. Protesters lined Just Pups storefronts to express disdain for LoSacco’s alleged practicing of animal cruelty, and thousands took to petitioning local governments to shut the door on every Just Pups store.
The East Brunswick Council revoked LoSacco’s license, and the Emerson and East Hanover Councils voted against renewing his business licenses, according to Porrino.
Before the closing of all Just Pups locations, customers were providing their reviews – both positive and negative – on Google. Alexander Martinez wrote that he was sold a sick dog that died and spent last Christmas and New Years “in and out of vets and dog hospitals.” “Eventually the vet told us that the dog wasn’t going to make it and it should be put to sleep,” he wrote. Another reviewer, Stephanie F., called the store “frightening.” “All of the puppies seemed lethargic and just miserable and most of them had this terrible cough,” she wrote.
Other reviewers, however, seemed to have positive experiences with the store and wrote that they would be returning customers. The attorney general’s website provides consumers with a list of their rights to be aware of before purchasing a pet. Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file an online complaint or call the state Division of Consumer Affairs.