Humane Long Island Seeks 'Emergency Action' To Shutter Sloth Exhibit

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Activists and protestors have assembled to call for Sloth Encounters in Hauppauge to have its doors shut.

The display features a handful of sloths that John DiLeonardo, a guest on "Patch AM" contends, is a safety issue for the guests and sloths alike.

For starters, Humane Long Island's DiLeonardo said sloths are nocturnal animals.

"During the times that he's exhibiting them, they should be sleeping," DiLeonardo said.

A sloth typically will sleep 15-20 a day.

"Instead, they're being harassed and forced into close encounters with strangers during daylight hours," he said.

DiLeonardo said sloths bit several visitors at the location, run by Larry Wallach.

The Town of Islip has charged town violations against Sloth Encounters, but DiLeonardo won't settle for fines.

"Possession of wild animals is illegal in Islip," DiLeonardo said. "That's one of the codes that Sloth Encounters has been cited for. We're urging the Islip to take emergency action to shut down the shady exhibitor."

Patch AM is hoping to speak with Wallach later this week.

Watch the full "Patch AM" interview with DiLeonardo below.