Rockland County Pet Breeder Who Sold Sick Puppies Pleads Guilty

The owner of Retrievers 4U in Stony Point was accused of selling puppies with infectious or contagious diseases,  lohud.com reported.

John Principe had been cited four times for violations of the state Agriculture and Markets Law by the Hudson Valley Humane Society's enforcement agents. Sale of a sick, contagious animal is a violation under Section 357 of Article 26 of the New York State Agriculture & Markets Laws. The HVHS Humane Law Enforcement Division consists of four New York State Peace Officers who have full police powers to investigate crimes against animals in Rockland County.

Among the sick dogs was a black Labrador retriever who was diagnosed with the parvo virus and giardia two days after it was sold to the buyer and died at seven weeks old.

According to the plea agreement, Principe must pay restitution to the buyers of the four puppies. He will be sentenced Sept. 9, The Journal News said.

The HVHS urges Rockland County residents to call 845-354-3124 or email reportcruelty@hvhumane.org if they witness any degree of animal cruelty.