Resident urges Woodbridge to ban interactive animal facilities, citing SeaQuest concerns

Nicole Paternoster, a resident of the Avenel section of Woodbridge, urged the council to adopt an ordinance prohibiting interactive animal facilities, including petting zoos and aquariums that allow direct human interaction.

Paternoster said such facilities frequently fail to meet animals' complex physical and behavioral needs and cited SeaQuest as an example of alleged poor animal care and financial instability. "Multiple SeaQuest locations have faced allegations of improper animal care, unsafe conditions for visitors, and mismanagement," she said, adding that "the $381,000 that's currently owed by SeaQuest to Woodbridge Center Mall" was one reason the council should prevent similar businesses from locating in town.

Another commenter identifying herself as Jessica said she reviewed health certificates and permit expirations and urged the council not to allow the health department to sign permits for farm-animal exhibits. Jessica said the company filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 2 (as asserted in public comment) and described ongoing protests and offers from sanctuaries willing to take animals.

The public commenters presented several specific allegations about SeaQuest's finances and animal care. The record contains conflicting figures: Paternoster referenced $381,000 owed to Woodbridge Center Mall, while a later speaker (Jessica) uses a different large figure in the record (the transcript contains a later claim of "$381,000,000" in a garbled exchange). The council did not take immediate action on an ordinance during the meeting; the comments were part of the public-comment period.

No town staff report or formal proposal was put on the floor for a vote during this meeting; speakers urged the council to deny permits and to coordinate with sanctuaries if the business sought to operate in town.

The council acknowledged the comments but did not record a staff recommendation or next procedural step on the record.