Trigger, Babylon Town's First Beloved Pet Companion, Dies

TOWN OF BABYLON, NY — Trigger, the Town of Babylon's first official companion animal, has died.

Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, the town board, and the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter announced the news on social media Tuesday.

"Trigger found eternal peace late Sunday night," the shelter wrote. "We are all just trying to get through our days, but know that time will heal us."

He was estimated to be about 10 to 11 years old.

The beloved pit-bull mix came to the shelter in 2015, malnourished and in bad health, the town said.

"Between 2015 and 2023, our amazing staff cared for him and gave him the special attention his health issues required," a post said.

In 2020, the town board unanimously voted to adopt Trigger, as the town's first official companion animal.

He enjoyed "first class care"and amenities at our state-of-the-art animal shelter," which became his forever home, the town wrote.

For years, Trigger captured the hearts of many town residents. He was a cherished figure at every town event he attended, fawned over by onlookers who showered him in pets and scratches.

"Trigger brought immeasurable joy into our daily lives, laughter into our workplace, companionship into my home, comfort to all who sought it and immense love into our hearts," said Jill Sanacore, of Animal Control Offices (ACO) of the shelter.

I will miss him every day."

The shelter said it would like to give Trigger "the parade he loves and deserves" and to memorialize him next week.

"It’s an amazing journey he took us all on" Kristin Siarkowicz, of ACO said.

Joanne Vitale, a senior volunteer at the shelter who walked Trigger every day for the last eight years, was one of his best friends.

Christine Franke told Patch that Vitale would enter the shelter every day with a loud "TRIGGGGGG!"

"Trigger represented unconditional love and brought so much joy to my life and everyone’s life," Vitale said.

Siarkowicz and Jill Sanacore were his main caretakers, and would bring Trigger home on weekends and on holidays and was part of their family.

The shelter recently held a party for Trigger, to celebrate his adoption anniversary. Vitale brought a special cake and hats for the celebration, Franke said.

"Trigger was everyone’s dog, and he knew it," Siarkowicz said.