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Embattled Paramus Pet Shop Owner, Brother Arraigned In Cruelty Case

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Lawyers for a pet shop owner charged with leaving 67 dogs crated overnight in van outside his Paramus store said he'd have no comment after he and his brother were arraigned Tuesday in Hackensack.

Vincent (left) and Leonard LoSacco in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack on Tuesday.

Vincent (left) and Leonard LoSacco in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Vincent LoSacco in Central Municipal Court on Tuesday.

Vincent LoSacco in Central Municipal Court on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Leonard LoSacco in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack on Tuesday.

Leonard LoSacco in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine

Neither Vincent nor Leonard LoSacco said anything before, during or after the brief Central Municipal Court appearance.

The attorneys did say that complaints filed by Paramus authorities would be consolidated with 134 counts of animal cruelty against each of them filed by the Bergen County SPCA.

Vincent LoSacco cleared out the Paramus location more than a week ago, moving the remaining dogs to his Emerson shop on Kinderkamack Road -- where he offered them for sale at half price -- and into the hands of a local animal rescue organization.

Authorities in Emerson were considering whether to close that shop, as well.

Investigators determined that Leonard LoSacco picked up the puppies and drove them to Paramus, taking several days, before arriving April 4.

All of the dogs found in the van were examined and/or treated at the Oradell Animal Hospital. Paramus officials later issued 400 citations to Vincent LoSacco.

The owner previously told Daily Voice that he did nothing wrong.

"If there was any inhumane treatment, it was perpetrated by the individual who ordered that the van be dragged across the parking lot, put it at a 45-degree angle on the tow truck and then brought it to the animal hospital," LoSacco said.

This was after waiting for two hours from when the dogs were found at 3 a.m. for the tow truck to arrive, he said.

"Why they disregarded the well-being of the puppies was for them to preseve evidence," the Emerson native said. "They put preserving evidence over protecting the puppies."

LoSacco has drawn fire in various quarters for incidents at his Bergen County and East Brunswick shops.

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals filed 267 animal cruelty charges against him after three dead dogs were recovered from a freezer of his East Brunswick location.

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