‘Justice for the pups’ – protesters rally against Just Pups store

More than 30 people showed up in the rain to protest the Just Pups store in Paramus after 67 puppies were found in a van parked on the property on April 4.

Organized by the Facebook group Pet Store Watchdogs, protesters held homemade signs that read "Pets are not products" and "Justice for the pups" in the parking lot of the store on Route 17.

The store was ordered closed by Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera after the puppies were found in the cold van early Monday morning. Owner Vincent LoSacco, who considers the incident a big misunderstanding, lost an attempt in court on Friday to overturn the mayor's order.

"My hope is that their common sense voices are in the majority and that the crimes Mr. LoSacco is accused of are dealt with swiftly so our community can move on from this deplorable situation," LaBarbiera told the Daily Voice of Paramus.

Tyco Animal Control Services, which is caring for the puppies for the time being, wrote on their Facebook page that, "the puppies are doing well" and keeping them very busy. They are being helped by members of the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management and said that donations of garbage bags and disposable gloves in sizes medium and large would be appreciated. The puppies are still not available for adoption.

The puppies remaining inside the Just Pups store are being cared for by store employees according to Tyco.