Three shore pet shops among 17 charged with state violations

Three pet shops in Ocean and Monmouth Counties are among 17 around New Jersey facing civil penalties for alleged violations of the state's Pet Purchase Protection Act. 

Pat's Pups in Waretown, Bark Avenue in Red Bank and the Pet Shoppe in Middletown were identified by investigators of acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman's office for unspecified non- compliance instances.

According to information released by Hoffman's office, violations among all 17 include failure to list breeding histories and medical backgrounds on dog and cat cages, along with other information required under new revisions to the state law.

Missing details included the date and place of breeding, the identities and addresses of any brokers who might have enabled transactions between store owners and breeders, name and address of veterinarians who conducted initial health exams, and the age, sex and identifying markings of each animal.

Several were cited for failing to display reports of federal inspections of breeders and brokers in the past two years, and failing to display signs advising customers of their rights when buying from pet shops.

Hoffman's office did not elaborate on which accusations applied to individual shops.