OK, I have to ask........

[LauraMax]

Ummm, EWWWWWWWWWW!

It really must've been hearbreaking for the chimp's owner. I mean, agree w/her having it as a pet or not, I kept thinking if one of my dogs attacked someone & I'd have to BEG for someone to shoot them, they might as well put the next bullet in me b/c I'd never be able to live w/myself.

 

[fit44]

I kept thinking if one of my dogs attacked someone & I'd have to BEG for someone to shoot them, they might as well put the next bullet in me b/c I'd never be able to live w/myself.

I can't even begin to imagine something like that. OMG, my dogs are my children. I know that sounds nutty, but I love them so much. I would do what was needed to protect others. I just can't imagine having to go to those extremes.
The reports said the chimp tore her friend's face off. I seriously can't imagine what she is going through right now.

 

[hiitdogs]

That's gross!
I think I'll stick to mothering my dogs. I don't know why anyone would want to keep a wild animal. I really don't understand it.

I don't understand either why anyone would want to keep any exotic animal. On the other hand though, even though dogs are domesticated they can still turn in a split second and even the best dog can turn into a wild animal given the right circumstances.

It's just a horribly sad story!!

 

[Afreet]

Chimps aren't typically spayed or neutered, and can be socialized to be around humans, if need be. I'm thinking of Jane Goodall's facility in Africa, or other similar refuges where the chimps' needs are taken seriously.

Their social intelligence makes it possible for them to relate to humans without millenia of specific breeding, but since they are an intelligent and complex animal, it is necessary to respect them as such. Very, very few people/facilities are prepared to take care of a chimpanzee properly for the duration of their (human-length) lives.

In addition, chimps only become available as pets when their families are killed for so-called "bushmeat", so any chimp available for sale has probably witnessed the slaughter of its mother, and possibly its entire extended family, and then has been wretchedly maltreated for some period of time. I view this recent tragedy as par for the course, unfortunately.

I agree with Kathryn - using terms like "slavery" and "exploitation" is right on target. If a human being witnessed the murder of his or her entire family, then was forced to live in a tiny cage for months, starve for long stretches of time, and suffer long and uncomfortable transport and eventual sale to people who treat him/her like a resource or a pet, we'd understand why they might go nuts. It's no different with any other primate.

 

[jnka825]

eewww is right

Laura,]

I heard on the TODAY show this morning that the chimp slept in this woman's bed and frequently brushed her hair. That just creeps me out. I wonder if the chimp was her boyfriend. EWWWWWWW

I had the same thought and had the shivers. I am glad I am not the only one.

 

[andtckrtoo]

ITA with those who are saying that we cannot take an intelligent life form and expect him to behave like a circus pony. This whole story is so sad on so many levels. And it is really disturbing the way this chimp was treated. Sounds like he a boy toy for a rich woman. I'd flip my lid too.

We need to realize that animals do have intelligence - it may be different than ours, but it's there. They also have social rules and ways of doing things that may seem odd to us, but are very serious to them. To ignore that be it in a family pet or a situation like this is stupid. As Carola said, even a well trained, well loved dog can turn into a raging animal given the right circumstances. We have to respect that.

 

[fit44]

We need to realize that animals do have intelligence - it may be different than ours, but it's there. They also have social rules and ways of doing things that may seem odd to us, but are very serious to them. To ignore that be it in a family pet or a situation like this is stupid.

Point well made. ITA!

 

[LauraMax]

I cannot imagine any pet owner not recognizing their animal has some form of intelligence. Some of them might not respect it or care about their animals, but those are the same people who don't care about humans.

Personally, I know at least one of my dogs is smarter than I am. Fortunately she's better natured & more forgiving than me.

 

[Lynn M.]

Its definitely a sad story.. I saw the interview yesterday on the Today show. The poor woman has had alot of tragedy in her life... she lost her husband 5 years ago and her daughter (I think?) was killed in a car accident. She really viewed the chimp as her "surrogate child". And, now her chimp is dead and her best friend is critically injured.

I do have to respect her though for trying to save her friend by stabbing the monkey and then asking the cops to bring a gun to shoot it. I've heard other people make excuses for their animals that attack and hurt/maul people that wouldn't put the animal down. While it must have been awful at least she did the right thing.

Lynn M.

 

[DEEDEE2]

What do you guys think about that chimp attack?
I wonder what happened? From what I understand chimps are pretty intelligent & if raised properly wouldn't just attack unprovoked. Not to mention its owner gave it a dose of Xanax b/c it seemed "stressed."

Such a sad story.

This kind of thing always upsets me. People think that because you teach an animal a few tricks it is tame...Chimps can't be tamed any more than a lion or a bear. Folks seem to forget dogs and cats are bred to have certain traits and temperments, wild animals are not. This animal never should have become a pet. I firmly believe that this woman's arrogance in believeing that the chimp was 'a pet' is what led to it's death.

 

[Timber99]

Responding without reading everyone else's thoughts....

From what I have heard, which is not tons, on news programs, etc., the issue (you can train a dog but not a chimp) is that chimps are so intelligent that even when trained, they can make decisions, etc,. and take actions that exceed the training. For example, you teach a dog to sit. Say "sit"and he sits. You teach a chimp to do all of these different things and because of his intellgence, he is also trained to be on his own adn take his own actions (ie in a movie), and at times, he does.

Also, they said another big difference is that often, the way this chimp acted towards this woman is the way that a chimp will act int eh wild when showing dominance. It is a wild animal and it acted like one (for whatever reason) would act in the wild. There;s nothing out of character in what he did for what a chimp would do.

I just think that animals like that are meant to be in the wild, plain and simple. It's great to train ones that might not be able to (ie hurt) or ones that were raised for that. but expecting a wild animal to conform to our society and be safe is just stupid (my opinion only).

 

[kaylasmom321]

I know this is redundant, but this is a very sad, disturbing story. I live in the town that this occurred in, and one of my clients is good friends with the woman that owned the chimp. I feel very sorry for her, but agree that chimps should not be pets. Hopefully there will be new ordinances and laws about this soon. I do not think the woman should have charges brought up against her. Obviously, she needs therapy. I just pray that the woman who was mauled will recover.
---And whats up with the NY. Post? I can't believe they would print a cartoon relating to this, and in that way