Posted on 02/16/2009 11:31:05 PM PST by nickcarraway
A pet chimpanzee - who had appeared in TV commercials and shows - got loose at a home at 241 Rock Rimmon Road in Stamford, Connecticut Monday afternoon, according to Stamford police. And it was not his first time.
His owner, Sandra Herold, 70, had called a friend over to help since "Travis" was misbehaving. He had taken the keys to the car. The chimp was also trying to open car doors, which he apparently did to indicate he wanted to go for a ride. Herold was able to coax Travis back to the house and she gave him some Xanax laced tea, said police.
When the friend , Charla Nash, 55, of Stamford arrived minutes later, the 200-pound chimp bolted outside and began brutally attacking Nash as she was getting out of her car, leaving her with severe facial injuries. She is in "very critical condition," said police.
Travis's owner tried to stop the attack by stabbing the chimp with a butcher knife. When that didn't work, she called 911, according to police.
When they arrived, officers gave emergency medical personnel an armed escort to the victim. Police evacuated the area because there were children playing nearby.
Travis then charged at police, smashed a car window and opened the door to a police cruiser where an officer was taking cover. That officer shot the chimp several times and Travis ran off. Police followed a trail of blood through the house and found Travis dead in his living quarters in the back of the house, said police.
This was not Travis's first run-in with the law. On October 19, 2003, Travis escaped from his owner's SUV and went running through the streets. More than a dozen police officers chased around after him at the time.
In a newspaper article at the time, police said the chimp, then 10, was toilet trained. He reportedly dressed himself, ate at the table and drank wine. He could use a computer and remote control.
He starred in Old Navy and Coca-Cola commercials and even appeared on the Maury Povich Show, according to an article in the Stamford Advocate.
Travis's owner, Sandra Herold, 70, is also hospitalized. She may have had a mild heart attack, reported those at the scene but Stamford Hospital is not releasing any information about her condition.
Having a chimp as a “pet”
Giving the thing a human name “Travis”
Saying the thing was “misbehaving”
The problem is the idiot human that had demented fantasies about this thing being just like a human.
Otherwise normal people lose their minds when they see a chimp and try their best to see it as a human.
It’s really about seeing humans as just the same as animals, not something superior.
Another problem is the idiot who wrote the article, constantly calling it “Travis”, and “he”, instead of “it”
I expect the animal rights wackos will call for the prosecution of the cop.
Liberalism is an incurable mental disease.
As Rush said, “A tiger is a tiger”.
Chimps scare the hell out of me. They are so strong, quick and have fangs like a German Shepard.And when I say strong I mean like a 200# chimp benching a 1000# strong.No human is as strong as they are pound for pound.
They have powerful teeth and jaws, PLUS powerful arms that can hold and immobilize you while they bite your face off. Plus feet that can grab at you too.
So the term “monkey on your back” is really worse than we thought?
Yes we underestimate animals abilities. They have no regrets or conscience, and they can kill you quickly.
Did you notice that the office shot the brute several times and it still ran off to it’s bedroom? It could have attacked until it died of blood loss.
I think we need to kill all animals.Then eat them.
So the new campaign by PETA to call all fish, “Sea Kittens” might backfire when people think of claws and fangs?
Ok I finally read the article... so I take it there is now a job vacancy? ;^)
They’re not known for being swimmers..
Thats is the key. No exotic wild animal pet should ever be considered “tamed.” Wild animals may have varying dispositions but even mild disposition wild animals can instinctively turn into a killing machine without warning.
I own and keep a seven foot pet crocodilian in my home.
I have a science background and have owned this animal for 23 years. I am not an idiot, but certainly understand why exotic pet owners are given that label, especially after episodes like this.
I remember that!
I'm surprised you did!
I remember laughing when I wrote that, and wondering if I should post it as it wasn't nice... but the Internets made me do it. :)
Yep, there are certain sarcastic funnies that just stick in my head. I had to look up on the thread (took me a minute or two to find the thread) who posted it, but I always remembered it. For some reason that just struck my funny bone. It was just the perfect sarcasm. I don’t think anyone berated you for it either. :)
No, I seem to get away with a lot after all of these years of my right-wing extremism. :)
If you want a chuckle, visit my FReep page.
I let off steam by making silly graphic images... you might enjoy some of them on a slow Friday.
:)
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