Stony Point dog breeder pleads guilty to sale of sick puppies

John Principe, the owner and operator of Retrievers 4U on North Main Street in Stony Point, recently pled guilty to several charges that he sold diseased dogs to unsuspecting buyers.

From September 2012 to August 2013, Principe was arrested and charged for four separate instances when he sold diseased dogs to customers. One of the dogs, which was later euthanized, reportedly had giardia and parvovirus, a lethal, highly contagious and difficult to treat canine illness.

The buyers were awarded $10,168 for medical costs associated with the dogs’ treatment. Principe must pay the restitution prior to his sentencing on September 9.