NEVERSINK  — “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” 

If you have any of these living in your house, the Town of Neversink would like to know.

Last week, the Town of Neversink ran a legal notice in the Sullivan County Democrat asking its townspeople to report any wild animals living in their house by April 1.

A call to Supervisor Christopher Matthews went like this…

“The only wild animals I’ve had at my house are my kids,” Matthews said with a laugh. “And I’m reporting that to you right now.”

New Town Clerk Staci Conjura said, “It is something we have always done [publishing the legal notice].”

“My predecessor Lisa [Garigliano] did it and she said we never had any wild animals claimed. We have to do it – by law. It’s a function of the clerk.”

Conjura said deer, bear and all kinds of snakes are on the list, but “no monkeys.”

And if you have  a wild animal

The Town of Neversink is reminding residents of an important legal requirement regarding wild animals. Under Chapter 680 of the Laws of 2002, individuals who own, possess, or harbor a wild animal are obligated to report its presence to the Town Clerk on an annual basis.

This report must be filed by or on April 1 of each year, as outlined in General Municipal Law 209-cc. A list of the common names of animals that must be reported is available at the Town Clerk’s office and residents who fail to comply with this law could result them in penalties.

For further information or to file a report, residents can contact the Town Clerk’s office at townclerk@townofneversink.org or call 845-985-2262, Ext 307.