Larry Wallach, dubbed "The Sloth King" of Long Island, has caught public attention not for his exotic pet collection, but for the alleged mistreatment of animals under his care.

Wallach, who owns Sloth Encounters, a hybrid exotic pet store and petting zoo, has been at the center of a storm of animal welfare violations, drawing comparisons to the infamous Joe Exotic.

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Larry Wallach, known as "The Sloth King," is under scrutiny for animal mistreatment at Sloth Encounters.

Allegations of Abuse

Nicole Rice, a former employee, detailed her observations of the dire conditions within Sloth Encounters. She recounted instances of Wallach's harsh treatment of the animals, particularly the sloths, noting that one, named Slowphilia, was frequently awakened aggressively for visitor interactions, reports Long Island Press.

This aligns with findings from both the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Long Island, which documented abusive behavior towards the animals, including physical harm and stressful, overcrowded living conditions.

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Sloth Encounters operated as both an exotic pet store and petting zoo in Suffolk County.

Legal and Regulatory Battles

Wallach's operation has not only raised ethical concerns but also legal ones. He received multiple Animal Welfare Act violations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and faced a shutdown order from the Suffolk County Supreme Court. Despite these actions, Wallach insists that his business is legal and that he possesses all necessary permits.

The town of Islip and several animal welfare organizations have challenged this claim, CBS News reports, pointing to zoning violations and the unsuitability of sloths and other exotic animals as pets or for commercial entertainment.

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Former employees and animal rights groups have reported neglect and abuse of animals.

Community and Expert Outcry

The community's reaction has been mixed, with some seeing Wallach as a quirky local character, while others, including experts and former employees, decry the conditions the animals are kept in.

“He’s facing possible incarceration, fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, and seizure of the animals,” John Di Leonardo, an anthrozoologist and president of Humane Long Island, told the Long Island Press.

Rice's own reflections on her time working for Wallach paint a picture of a man whose treatment of animals deteriorated over time.

Sloths typically lead solitary lives and prefer not to be touched. Their hearing is limited, and their vision is particularly poor in bright conditions. Subjecting them to interactions with large groups can pose risks.

“[Wallach] actually got cited in November of 2022 for the bite of a child by one of these sloths,” Di Leonardo said. “We’ve had several whistleblowers come forward alleging that there have been many, many more bites.”

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Legal actions have led to a shutdown order for Sloth Encounters by the Suffolk County Supreme Court.

Legal action against Sloth Encounters came to a point in February 2024 when attorneys from the Town of Islip asked a Suffolk County judge to hold Wallach in criminal contempt of court for allegedly continuing to exhibit sloths and other wild animals in violation of prior rulings.

“The Town of Islip has taken concrete actions to protect sloths and other wild animals held captive at Larry Wallach’s Sloth Encounters from further abuse,” Brian Shapiro, the New York state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said. “Our undercover investigation at this horrific operation revealed one of the worst cases of sloth abuse we’ve seen. We respectfully urge the court to swiftly ensure that these animals are finally out of the hands of their abuser. Wallach should never be allowed near another animal again.”

Following a charge of contempt of court, Wallach was forced to temporarily close the doors to Sloth Encounters, while sloths, capybaras, a kangaroo and other animals remain in his custody, Patch reports.

Steven Politi, Wallach's attorney, told Newsday that Sloth Encounters will "be back" once the business is brought into compliance with Town of Islip code.

Wallach maintains he has full intentions of reopening the facility.

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Sloths, which are solitary and sensitive by nature, suffer in the crowded, stressful conditions at Sloth Encounters.

The Larger Implications

The controversy surrounding Sloth Encounters is emblematic of a broader issue with the exotic pet trade and the use of wild animals for entertainment. The story raises questions about the adequacy of existing regulations and the enforcement of animal welfare standards. It also underscores the complex ethical considerations involved in human-animal interactions, especially when profit and entertainment are involved.

The case of Larry Wallach and Sloth Encounters serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities humans have towards the animals in their care. It highlights the need for stringent oversight, stronger legal protections for exotic animals, and a more informed public discourse on the ethics of wildlife trade and animal entertainment.

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