Monday, April 2, 2012
Bill comes two months after Brick store shut down
A group of Ocean County lawmakers have introduced a bill they say will eliminate the sale of dogs and cats in New Jersey from so-called "puppy mills." The proposal comes just over two months after Puppies Galore, a pet store in Brick, was shut down by authorities after 26 of the 39 dogs being held there were found to be sick. Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) have introduced the "Healthy Puppies and Kittens Assurance Act" which the group said in a joint statement Monday will place strict regulations on pet stores that sell animals from puppy and kitten mill breeders. The bill establishes a state registry of breeders and pet dealers who will have to provide information on the health and breeding …
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Animal advocates come to township council meeting
A number of animal advocates from across the state came to Tuesday evening's council meeting to urge the governing body to move on a proposed town-wide ban of stores that sell puppies. The proposal, first put forth by Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis, would prevent establishments from selling more than 10 dogs or cats per year. "We need to protect and speak for the voiceless," said Jody Davis of Freehold, who came to this week's meeting. "The conditions in puppy stores are often painful and uncomfortable for the animals." A subcommittee of three council members – Susan Lydecker, Domenick Brando and Dan Toth – is now researching the issue. Some people expressed concerns that the effort to ban puppy stores – which are often registered as kennels …
Friday, March 16, 2012
Pet store owner could ask for change of venue
The owner and manager of the former Puppies Galore pet store were in Brick municipal court Thursday evening. Maria De Santis, the store's owner, is facing 38 counts of animal cruelty related to her ownership of the business, which was shut down by authorities in January. The store's manager, Nathan "Nat" Sladkin, is facing four counts of animal cruelty. Municipal Court Judge Robert M. Lepore granted De Santis' attorney's request for a 45 day period of discovery, during which she and her attorney can comb through the documents that make up the state's case against her. De Santis' attorney said after the discovery period, the defense may request a change in venue due to statements that have been made by people associated with the township. …
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Ordinance tabled at township council meeting
The township council tabled an ordinance aimed at prohibiting stores that sell puppies from operating in town. The decision was made at Tuesday evening's towship council meeting. The governing body will most likely consider another ordinance at a future time after a council subcommittee looks into the issue. "There are concerns about the number of animals, as well as some other issues," said Council President John Ducey. Council members said they had received a large amount of feedback on the ordinance since it was first proposed. Some people who have addressed the governing body during public comment portions of recent meetings have said they are concerned the ordinance could negatively impact small breeders in town – ostensibly not a …
Friday, March 9, 2012
Council will have the option of removing grandfathering clause
When the Brick Township council considers enacting an ordinance that will ban puppy stores in town, council members will have the option to delete a section in the law that grandfathers in businesses already in existence. The council is set to consider an ordinance on first reading next Tuesday. An effort to ban stores that sell puppies gained momentum following the closure and license revocation of Puppies Galore, a pet store on Hooper Avenue. The owner and manager of that store have since been criminally charged with animal cruelty. The ordinance, first proposed by Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis, would ban the establishment of any new stores that sell dogs or cats or any breeder that sells more than 10 puppies in a calendar year. The law, as…
Friday, March 2, 2012
Court date for Puppies Galore suspects now March 15
Maria De Santis and Nathan "Nat" Sladkin, the two people facing animal cruelty charges in connection with the Puppies Galore pet store, did not appear in Brick Municipal Court on Thursday. Though a New Jersey SPCA officer was on hand and ready for the planned proceedings, court staff confirmed the case has been adjourned to March 15. No specifics were provided to a reporter as to why the case was adjourned. De Santis, 57, of Old Bridge, faces 38 counts of animal cruelty related to her ownership of Puppies Galore on Hooper Avenue. In January, the store was shut down and 39 puppies were removed after months of violations culminated in a tip from a citizen that prompted a multi-agency response. Sladkin, 71, of Farmingdale, who was the manager…
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Puppies were said to be living in, consuming their own feces inside Puppies Galore
Complaints against the Puppies Galore pet store on Hooper Avenue included reports of dogs rolling in, and consuming, their own feces, an official with the Ocean County Health Department testified Tuesday night. The testimony, as well as a track record of non-compliance with health regulations for nearly the entire time the store was open, led the Brick Township Council to revoke the store's license at a hearing. No representatives from the store came to the hearing. Ryan Griffin, acting senior public health inspector for the county's health department, said Puppies Galore opened in October and operated for just over two weeks before the first complaints about the store came in. The owner, Maria De Santis, and the manager, Nathan "Nat" …
Acropolis plans ordinance to prevent new puppy stores
In the wake of the closure of the Puppies Galore store on Hooper Avenue, Brick's mayor is proposing an ordinance that will prevent new puppy stores from opening their doors in the township. "This is an issue whose time has come," Acropolis said. "We have to do something to stop these puppy stores and puppy mills. I have heard heartbreaking stories from many residents about their experiences with these stores." Acropolis said he has directed Township Attorney Jean Cipriani to draft an ordinance that will place restrictions on puppy stores and kennels in the township. The proposed ordinance would prohibit the establishment of any new stores that sell dogs or cats or any breeder that sells more than 10 puppies in a calendar year. The law …
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Pet shop hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by regular council meeting
The township council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night to conduct a hearing on the status and licensing of the Puppies Galore pet shop, which was shut down by authorities last month. After being found by the Ocean County Health Department on Jan. 24 to be unsatisfactory in its compliance with health code provisions, the owner, Maria De Santis, volunteered to close the store. Two days later, acting on a complaint from a citizen, authorities removed 39 puppies from the store, 26 of which were said to be ill at the time. De Santis was charged the following week with 38 counts of animal cruelty, and Nathan "Nat" Sladkin, the store's manager, was charged with four counts. The criminal case is separate from tomorrow's hearing, which will deal…
Friday, February 10, 2012
Nat Sladkin appears in Brick municipal court
One of the two operators of the Brick Township pet shop accused of cruelty to animals made an appearance in municipal court Thursday night. Nathan "Nat" Sladkin, a 71-year-old Farmingdale resident who managed the Puppies Galore pet store on Hooper Avenue, appeared before Judge Robert Lepore for an arraignment hearing. Sladkin is facing four counts of cruelty to animals filed by investigators with the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The owner of the store, Old Bridge resident Maria De Santis, 57, is facing 38 counts of animal cruelty. Dressed in a black jacket, khaki pants and a red shirt, Sladkin tilted his head to the side and quietly listened to Lepore read the potential penalties for each charge – up to six …
Jan Fisher
6:50 pm on Saturday, April 7, 2012
Would you be so kind as to clarify if you are indicating that "dogs of known heritage" are coming from pet stores? I think you mean reputable breeders when you refer to "dogs of known heritage" but I want to be sure. If you are referring to reputable breeders, your statement is true. If you are referring to puppies purchased from pet stores, we know the heritage of these dogs and it isn't … more ›