Free Republic

NAGANO -- Fourteen women were injured Monday after a wild monkey went on the rampage in a residential area of Shimosuwa, Nagano Prefecture, authorities said.Police and local health officials armed with tranquilizer guns and nets launched a hunt for the 1-meter tall Japanese macaque, but it remains at large.“An extremely violent ape is roaming the town. Please avoid making eye contact when you spot it,” said a warning issued through outdoor public address systems which have been installed across the town for emergency uses.Police said the 14 victims -- from women in their teens to those in their 70s --...

TOKYO -- A rogue monkey believed to be searching for a mate has attacked 23 women in a northern Japan town, police said Tuesday. About a dozen police and 30 town officials were searching for the monkey, said Shigeru Arai, deputy chief of police in Suwa town, about 100 miles northwest of Tokyo. The attacks began Monday, when the monkey bit 14 women as they put out garbage or left home for work, Arai said. Nine more women were attacked Tuesday, he said. Most of the victims were ages 50 to 80. Most were bit on the legs, and...