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Article Archive > SPCA: N.Y. man sold sick puppies SPCA: N.Y. man sold sick puppies Authorities have signed complaints against a New York man who they say sold sick puppies to unsuspecting customers. John Steib Jr., 61, of Cicero, N.Y., sold the puppies - mostly golden retrievers and Siberian huskies - on Bernice Drive here under a business called Northern Lights Siberians, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, the police chief of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA and the local health department launched investigations after three customers complained to authorities that they bought ill dogs, he said. Amato said if a veterinarian deems a dog unfit for sale within 14 days of the purchase, the seller must either pay for the veterinary care of the dog, give the buyer a new dog of equal value, or give the buyer a refund. But Steib refused to comply with that rule, he said. SPCA Sgt. Matthew Giuliano went to the Bernice Drive location twice, and on both occasions, there was no water for the dogs, Amato said. Some dogs were in crates in the back of a van, and the bottoms of the cages were covered with diarrhea, Amato said. On Tuesday, authorities signed complaints against Steib, charging him with nine counts of animal cruelty - two counts of failure to provide sustenance, in this case, veterinary care, three counts of improper shelter, and four counts of no water. Anyone else who may purchased a sick dog from Steib is asked to call Amato at (732) 312-7153. All information will be kept confidential, he said.
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