Listen to this articleThe New Jersey Attorney General’s Office issued more than $70,000 in fines to eight pet stores for allegedly breaking the state’s Pet Purchase Protection Act (PPPA).
In a Sept. 25 press release, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the following businesses received notices of violations and assessed civil penalties by the Division of Consumer Affairs:
- Mama’s and Papa’s Pet Shop Englewood $9,000
- Silver Nickle Puppies Englewood $6,500
- Pet Crew Pet Shop Newark $8,000
- Oh My Dog LLC Kearny $7,500
- Carmona Pet Shop Inc. Union City $7,000
- Pet Center Old Bridge $12,500
- Shake A Paw Green Brook $10,000
- Shake A Paw Union $10,000
According to Platkin, the enforcement actions stem from unannounced inspections of pet stores in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties.
Violations discovered by the Division of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection included failing to:
- Label puppies’ cages with each animal’s breeding history and medical background
- Properly display or issue statements informing consumers of their rights when purchasing an animal from a pet shop
- Including in the event an animal becomes sick or dies.
The AG’s office also said it cited numerous stores for not maintaining records of all vaccination and inoculations administered to each animal, dates a vet examined animals, and/or the names of the vet who conducted exams. Some stores received write-ups for neglecting to display or maintain federal inspection reports for the breeders or brokers of each animal, authorities said.
According to the state, it cited one store – Oh My Dog in Kearny – for purchasing puppies from breeders not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
‘Ensuring transparency’
DCA acting Director Elizabeth Harris commented on the enforcement initiative. “Ensuring transparency in New Jersey’s marketplace is essential, especially when it comes to buying a pet,” Harris said. “No one should have to suffer the heartache of unwittingly purchasing a sick puppy and then being forced to choose between paying costly vet fees or losing their pet.
“Through our ongoing inspections of pet stores throughout the state, we will continue to identify and sanction retailers who keep consumers in the dark about the background and health of the pets they buy.”
Platkin added, “Discovering that a new pet has a debilitating health issue can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. New Jersey’s Pet Purchase Protection Act requires stores to provide prospective buyers with the information they need to ensure the animal they bring home was bred and maintained under healthy conditions.
“Stores that violate this law will be held accountable for denying consumers the ability to make educated choices in this important decision.”
