NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The Holtsville Ecology Center, a local zoo in the town of Brookhaven, is facing scrutiny following allegations of animal neglect and mistreatment.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office officially launched an investigation at the request of Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico on Monday. The move comes after reports surfaced about inadequate care for animals at the facility, which houses pigs, cows, llamas, goats, and ducks.
The investigation began after concerns were raised about a sick duck. “That duck was not getting proper care there,” said John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island. He explained the duck’s condition, saying it suffered from “a fractured wing, staph infection on the bottom of her feet, and lead poisoning.”
Supervisor Panico’s request for an investigation follows a Newsday investigation highlighting allegations from seven former assistant animal caretakers. In interviews and a 120-page document, the former staff members outlined dozens of examples of what they described as neglect at the town-owned facility.
The controversy also follows last month's euthanasia of Honey, an American black bear that resided at the center, who Di Leonardo said would constantly stand still and move her head back and forth.
Town officials have indicated that they may relocate some of the animals or even close the facility entirely.
Di Leonardo believes closure is the right move. “The Holtzville Ecology Center is literally built on top of a garbage dump,” he said.
On top of that he alleges that there are “employees that are performing surgeries without licenses, without anesthetic on these animals.”