SPRINGFIELD TWP -- The owner of the now shuttered Puppy Barn was banned from selling puppies in the future after pleading guilty to charges related to unsanitary conditions that endangered animals and people at her pet store.
Nancy Pancko, the Route 206 pet store's owner, appeared in Springfield Municipal Court last week on charges of failure to provide necessary care and vet care and causing the death of a living creature following reports of sick dogs purchased from her store, the Burlington County Humane Society Police said.
The Mount Holly store closed for good in February after investigators found evidence of parvovirus, a contagious viral infection that typically affects puppies and is known to be fatal, at the store.
Police said they began investigating Pancko and the store after seeing Facebook post about an Eskimo puppy named "Copper," a puppy who allegedly was purchased from the Pet Barn and died shortly after.
Authorities said numerous customers reported puppies they purchased from the store fell ill or even died.
A Georgia man claimed that he purchased a puppy named "Booger" from The Puppy Barn, and has since watched the dog suffer health and psychological issues.
Following the store's closure, 70 puppies were surrendered to the Burlington County Health Department. After officials quarantined the dogs at the Burlington County Animal Shelter, they made full recoveries and were adopted.
Pancko took responsibility for her employees, meaning she solely will bear the charges She will also pay a fine, police said.
Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amahoover. Find NJ.com on Facebook.