A woman in Tennessee had a shocking encounter while feeding her cats, as a monkey on a leash suddenly attacked her.
Fired Her Gun
Startled by the attack, the woman reacted by firing a gun at the monkey, seriously injuring the animal, according to Digi24.
The monkey was later transported to the Chattanooga Zoo, where veterinarians tried to save it. Due to the extent of its injuries, however, zoo staff ultimately decided that euthanasia was the most humane option.
Chattanooga Zoo’s marketing and communications director, Jake Cash, explained that the injuries were too severe to treat.
“Everyone in the room agreed that euthanasia was the only option,” he stated.
Allows Monkeys as Pets
Cash also raised broader concerns about primates being kept as pets, noting the significant risks involved. Though Tennessee law allows monkeys as household pets, Cash advised against it, citing the special care and handling needs that most owners are unprepared for.
“Keeping a primate as a pet involves numerous risks and challenges that people often don’t fully understand,” he said.
Local authorities are investigating the origin of the monkey and working to identify its owner. This incident has sparked renewed attention on exotic pets, especially primates, and the risks they can pose.
The case also highlights gaps in regulation; while Tennessee permits the private ownership of monkeys, there is limited oversight on training or containment measures.
The monkey involved in this case is not the only one currently on authorities' radar. According to local media, officials in South Carolina are also on the lookout for around 40 monkeys that recently escaped from a research facility.
