Towns have no business being in the zoo business

Honey, an American black bear, would sway from side to side, a sign of stress. She suffered from arthritis, infections and cracked teeth. She spent her nights in a barren stall. Honey, who was euthanized in November, was housed at the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve, a Brookhaven Town facility that inexplicably is run by the town Highway Department.

Honey's story is one of many told in a recent Newsday investigation of the Holtsville institution, a disturbing analysis that exposed dozens of instances of neglect and a lack of proper care for animals, from such exotic creatures as a lynx, a bobcat and a bison, to common barnyard inhabitants like goats and roosters.

Among the many concerns: The Holtsville "zoo" is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; it never even applied. It lacked the staff to appropriately clean and maintain pens and stalls, and existing staff told the public that Honey swayed because she was "dancing." Other staff members performed surgical procedures even though they aren't veterinarians. A vet occasionally would give advice over the phone, without examining an ailing animal. 

Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro noted that accreditation isn't required and suggested that critics are "opposed to the existence of zoos." Both may be true but Losquadro's responses, and his failure to address specific allegations, were insufficient and defensive.

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico has said he takes the accusations seriously and is ready to do what's right for the animals. Upon Panico's request, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has opened an investigation. That's a good move. Tierney should complete his work as quickly and thoroughly as possible. In the interim, town officials should increase their oversight of the preserve. The animals can't wait for appropriate care.

Beyond that, Panico is asking the right question: "Are there better locations for these animals?" he said during a recent news conference. The answer, no matter what Tierney's investigation shows, is yes.

The town should not be operating a zoo of any kind. Shifting management from the highway department to the parks department isn't the answer. Panico seems willing to move the exotic animals to sanctuaries or other locations — and that's what should happen. Those transfers should begin now, so the animals can be moved as soon as possible. The town seems interested, however, in maintaining a facility that includes barnyard animals. If so, town officials must ensure that it has proper staff and funding and can provide appropriate oversight and veterinary care.

While Long Island youngsters might enjoy seeing a variety of animals locally without paying high admission fees to private animal preserves, Brookhaven should prioritize delivering basic governmental functions. Leave animal care to those who have the knowledge and resources to do it the right way.