107k sign petition demanding East Brunswick’s “Just Pups” pet store be shut down

“Just Pups,” a pet store with locations in Emerson, East Brunswick, East Hanover and Paramus, has come under investigation by the New Jersey Department of Health after three dead dogs were discovered in a freezer in its East Brunswick location Feb. 29.

More than 107,000 people have signed a Care2 petition demanding the East Brunswick Township Council revoke Owner Vincent LoSacco’s license for the store and that the New Jersey Department of Health inspect the other three Just Pups locations.

View petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/570/990/852/

The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has filed 267 animal cruelty charges against LoSacco and has temporarily closed his East Brunswick location as it investigates. LoSacco faces up to $100,000 in fines stemming from his lack of proper veterinary care and adequate infection control for the animals.

The Care2 petition was started by Nicole Miller, a New Jersey resident.

“When I heard about the 267 animal cruelty charges that the NJSPCA had brought against Vincent LoSacco, I was stunned and horrified that this level of abuse could happen in my state,” Miller told Care2. “I wrote my Care2 petition to shut down ‘Just Pups’ because I couldn’t stand the idea any more puppies falling into LoSacco’s abusive hands.”

LoSacco has allegedly exposed dogs to illness by co-mingling healthy and sick puppies. The state has said even humans were at risk of disease.

The East Brunswick Council will decide whether or not to renew Just Pups’ license in light of the charges. A hearing will be held at 8 p.m. Mon., March 28 in the courtroom of the Municipal Building, One Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick.