Holtsville, NY - Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro is hosting an Amnesty Day at the Holtsville Ecology Site, in cooperation with the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). During the event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, residents will have an opportunity to turn in any protected, endangered and threatened animals that require special NYSDEC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permits. There will be no penalties and no questions asked.
A western diamondback rattlesnake, a green anaconda, boa constrictors, an American alligator and marmoset monkeys were among those animals turned in at previous Amnesty Day events at the Ecology Site.
"All too often people will harbor unlicensed or illegal pets without realizing the dangers they pose or the amount of care they require," said Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro. "Last month, an illegal wolf was turned over to the Suffolk County SPCA and now resides at the Holtsville Ecology Site; ownership of a wolf is illegal in New York State."
"I want to thank the Suffolk County SPCA, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and United States Fish and Wildlife Services, along with my extremely dedicated staff at the Ecology Site for making this event possible. One mistake shouldn't lead to another...you can still do the right thing," Losquadro continued.
"The purpose of this effort is to get these illegally-possessed animals into a controlled environment where they can be cared for properly," said Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross. "People who are in possession of these animals unlawfully can turn them in to us without fear of prosecution. No one will be asked to give their name."
"Keeping protected or endangered animals as pets is illegal and in many cases a threat to the health and safety of the owners, their family and neighbors," said Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine. "I urge anyone who has any of these animals in their home to do the right thing and bring them to the Holtsville Ecology Site. We will make sure they get a proper home and the special care that they need."
Trained handlers will be available to accept the unlicensed, exotic/illegal mammals, reptiles, amphibians and mammals from the public.
For further information, contact the Holtsville Ecology Site at 631-758-9664, the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722 or the NYSDEC at 631-444-0250. The Holtsville Ecology Site is located at 249 Buckley Road in Holtsville.
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Nakita, a wolf hybrid, was recently turned over to the SPCA by a resident who had been illegally keeping her as a pet; she now resides at the Holtsville Ecology Center.
Daniel P. Losquadro - Highway Superintendent
1140 Old Town Road
Coram, NY 11727
Phone: 631-451-9200
Fax: 631-732-2584