Police: 50 puppies, small dogs found in van behind New Jersey pet store

PARAMUS, N.J. (WPVI) -- Authorities say they found at least 50 puppies and small dogs in steel crates inside a van behind a northern New Jersey pet store.

Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg says two officers found the dogs behind Just Pups on Route 17 after they heard crying from inside the vehicle. The officers found several small crates, each with two to four puppies and small dogs inside.

Investigators say the crates were too small for some of the dogs to stand up. Ehrenberg says they contained no food or water and some of the dogs were covered in feces.

Ehrenberg says the temperature inside the van was 38 degrees.

Police say the van is registered to the store owner, who had his business license revoked last week.

The incident is under investigation.