The operator of a West New York pet shop was arrested Thursday on nine counts of animal cruelty, possession of 97 hypodermic syringes and possession of a prescription tranquilizer, after a tip led the town humane officer to the location.

“All the dogs were laying in cages with feces and urine, there was no food or water in their cages, there was mice excrement everywhere, cockroaches and there was exposed electrical wiring,” said West New York Humane Officer Geoffrey Santini of his inspection of Puppies Haven at 6200 Kennedy Blvd. that led to the arrest of Monica Giraldo, 47, of North Bergen.

“Upon entering, you could smell the urine and filthiness,” said Santini who called for backup to respond to the store. “I went into the back and saw the condition of the animals, needles strewn all over the floor, tranquilizers on the grooming table, rusty shears – a total disaster.”

A resident of the building said that when police left the air-conditioner and lights were still on and she was asked to go into the pet store and throw the circuit breaker.

"Oh my God it smelled so much," the woman said. She also said she spoke to Giraldo and "She said the policemen are a liar."

There were 11 dogs in the pet shop. Giraldo surrendered nine dogs to the town and the owners of two dogs that were at the pet store for grooming picked up their pets, Santini said, adding that three of the dogs required veterinary care.

The man behind the counter of a nearby pizzeria said that Giraldo often bought pizza there.

"The store was closed for days at a time," the pizzeria worker said of the pet store. "Anything besides that, I don't know."

West New York Mayor Felix Roque congratulated the West New York Police Department on the arrest and “its exemplary work in driving down crime by 33 percent this year."