Sloth Encounters Owner 'Going Nowhere' Despite Claims Of Mistreatment

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Larry Wallach, who runs Sloth Encounters, is addressing criticism for his handling of the animals.

Wallach, a guest on a special edition of "Patch AM," spoke as customers visited his Hauppauge location on Friday morning.

Leading the chants for Wallach to close the space due to mistreatment is John DiLeonardo with Humane Long Island.

"I've been doing this for over 45 years," Wallach said. "I have permits. I have never been arrested, charged with any animal abuse-- ever, never."

Wallach also said he would "never put the public in any sort of danger."

Part of DiLeonardo's complaint, in a "Patch AM" interview earlier in the week, is that sloths by nature are nocturnal, "Instead, they're being harassed and forced into close encounters with strangers during daylight hours," DiLeonardo said.

However, Wallach was steadfast in his handling of the sloths.

"What I'm doing with the sloths is fantastic," Wallach said. "They're treated beautifully. They eat beautifully. They have the best veterinarians. They are not animals that are taken out of the jungle in Costa Rica. They're 10th generation captively bred."

DiLeonardo urges people to avoid paying money for the sloth exhibit, but Wallach it's having the opposite effect on business.

"I am going nowhere, except getting bigger and we're going to get even bigger," Wallach said.

Watch the full interview with Wallach below.