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Citing the recent surrender of a wolf in Suffolk County and a West Babylon man who was airlifted to an area hospital after being bitten by his pet snake, Suffolk SPCA officials warned this week about the dangers of keeping exotic pets.
snake video below
The SPCA has witnessed the dangers of residents owning chimpanzees, alligators, leopards, cougars, bears, snakes and a variety of other animals, an announcement reads.
It’s also illegal to own many exotic pets, but on Sept. 30, the SPCA is teaming up with local and state agencies for an exotic pet amnesty day at the Holtsville Ecology Center in Brookhaven Town.
There, people can surrender illegally possessed, protected, endangered or threatened animal species that require special state DEC and Fish & Wildlife Permits.
And, they can do so without fear of prosecution. The wolf surrendered to the nonprofit organization last week is now living at the ecology center.
The SPCA reminds that ownership of a wolf is illegal in New York State, noting that a wolf’s behavior can be unpredictable since they are genetically wild.
“Exotic animals do not make good companions and pose serious health risks if they become aggressive,” the SPCA announced in a statement Tuesday. “They can also be carriers for diseases and parasites that can cause serious risk of illness.”
The CDC reports diseases including Herpes B, monkeypox and salmonellosis from owning certain exotic pets, according to the SPCA.
The amnesty event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 30, at the Holtsville Ecology Center, which is located at 294 Buckley Road in Holtsville, north of Sunrise Highway.
Contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722 or the state Department Environmental Conservation at 631 444-0250 for additional details.
photo and videos courtesy Suffolk SPCA
