Attack monkey goes to Bear Path Acres
Published 10:42 am Tuesday, May 3, 2011
FRANKLIN—Bear Path Acres has taken in two adult monkeys after one attacked its owner in Surry on April 25, said Debbie Jeter, founder and president of the non-profit animal education center in Southampton County.
Sammy, a java macaque monkey, sits in a cage at Bear Path Acres. Last week, the seven-year-old male attacked his owner. -- Gwen Albers | Tidewater News
She warned that monkeys are not pets.
“When they reach maturity and their estrogen and hormone levels (increase), they turn mean and vicious. This happens all the time.”
The man and his wife, whom Jeter would not identify, had been raising the java macaque monkeys at their home when the 30-pound male attacked the man.
“He had to go to (Sentara) Obici (Hospital in Suffolk) after he was bit in the nose and left wrist,” she said.
He remained hospitalized for two days, Jeter said.
The couple owned the monkey for seven years and let it sleep with them, Jeter said.
“He supposedly rolled over and the money attacked him,” she said.
Jeter initially took in the monkeys for a 10-day quarantine.
“You cannot do anything with them (initially),” she said. “They go through the same feelings and emotions that regular people in confinement. They will go through temper tantrums and learn this isn’t going to get them anywhere.”
The monkeys, Sammy and Tara, will be neutered and spayed and have their fangs removed, Jeter said.
