Just Pups Owner, Brother Appear In Bergen County Court On Animal Cruelty Charges

HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The owner of Just Pups pet stores in New Jersey was in court on Tuesday, on charges that he abused puppies.

In March, 67 puppies were found in a cold, unattended van behind the Just Pups store in Paramus.

As of Tuesday, tiny puppies – some struggling to open their eyes – were still in the window at another Just Pups store in Emerson, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.

The store remained vacant while its owner, Vincent LoSacco, and his brother, Leonard LoSacco, appeared in Bergen County Municipal Court on multiple counts of animal cruelty.

Both brothers pleaded not guilty.

Animal rights advocate Betty Michelmore, who attended the hearing, was outraged.

"It's just very sad that he's getting away with it," she said.

"He's very pompous," said another animal rights advocate who attended the hearing. "He's not a kind man."

The brothers refused to talk to CBS2 after their court appearance for allegedly leaving the puppies in the van. Police said it was 38 degrees in the van, and some dogs had no food or water and were covered in feces.

Michelmore said she is now fostering a 6-month-old puppy rescued from LoSacco's van.

"All the puppies that we have gotten from him have been sick," Michelmore said. "They've had kennel cough and parasites."

LoSacco has now closed his Paramus and East Brunswick stores because of allegations of animal cruelty and neglect. Just Pups in Emerson and East Hanover are still selling puppies.

Michelmore and her rescue group said they will protest outside his shops until he is out of business.

The LoSacco brothers face 134 counts of animal cruelty. If they are found guilty, each count carries a fine of up to $2,000, or imprisonment no longer than six months.

They will be back in court in three weeks, and animal advocates said they plan to be there too.