A caring community in Texas fought together last week to save the life of a “pet” monkey who had been sentenced to death after biting the finger of a 2-year-old boy.
Charly, a Japanese macaque, had been kept as an exotic pet by a local resident. Following the incident, his keeper surrendered him to Hidalgo County Animal Control, who made the decision that he must be euthanized. He was then sent onwards to Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC).
Authorities said that euthanasia was necessary to screen the monkey for rabies – a test that can only be determined post mortem – in spite of the fact that there has never been a recorded case of rabies in a primate in the United States.
Following the announcement that an innocent animal was about to be killed, local animal advocates acted immediately. Faith Wright and Monica Frenden, managers from Maddie’s Lifesaving Academy at Austin Pets Alive (APA), stepped in and fought for Charly’s life. Texas Pets Alive and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) joined forces and called on local media and concerned individuals to reach out in support of Charly, encouraging them to contact the State Health Department and protest the decision.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (WRR), a 212-acre sanctuary in Kendalia, Texas, quickly offered to take care of Charly for the rest of his life, should the death sentence be reversed. They generously promised to cover all costs for his quarantine, transport, and lifelong care.
“This is yet another incident in a long and ugly history of wild animals being subjected to the horrors of wild animal ‘pet’ trade,” said WRR Founder and President Lynn Cuny. “No wild animal should be forced to live in a cage in someone’s house and endure such an unnatural life. And there was a calamity in this case, a child was severely injured.”
Thanks to the quick response of a caring group of people, Charly’s life was spared, and he was granted the right to live out the rest of his days in peace at the WRR sanctuary.
“This is the power of grassroots efforts,” posted APA on their Facebook page. “This is the power of teamwork, and of being passionately humane. This is the power of determining what is right and making it happen, no matter how difficult it may seem.”
While Charly’s story has a positive outcome, there are still an estimated 15,000 primates kept as pets in the United States. In Texas, it is legal to own small monkey breeds such as macaques. Catie Jarl, a representative the Humane Society of the United States, stated that HSUS has been trying to change this legislation for many years.
“We hope that Charlie’s story will resonate with many of those lawmakers,” she said. “We believe that these animals should not be kept as pets for a whole host of reasons and today we certainly got a full-blown case study in many of them.”
Thank God for those who joined together to fight for the life of this captive monkey. I’m very sorry for the boy, but also do not believe in the death penalty for such cases. Thank you to each and every one of those who spoke up and fought for this monkey’s life.
Thank you
So glad these people stepped in to save this monkey from death,the way I see this the monkey should never had been caged up as a pet show off thing for this person who had nq vsothing better to do with his money and now this child has gotten bit.I am sorry this happened but it’s hard to blame this monkey he was put in a no win situation trapped in a cage,so it’s a great thing these people saved him
Animals must be where they belong to.
STOP THAT CRUELY OF THE POOR ANIMALS !!!
Cruel
No monkey has had rabies, UNDERSTAND?!? I know 2-year-olds, the kid probably deserved a bite which means “I don’t like that, leave me alone!”
DEATH SENTENCE FOR BITING FINGERS?????!!ARE YOU KIDDING??????
I totally agree about the kid. Thank you to the rescuers for helping this monkey
AWESOMENESS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HUGE HEARTS HEARTS IN SAVING CHARLEYS LIFE. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU
This subject drives me insane. I don’t understand why people insist of owning wild animals when these incidents happen first thing is to put the animal down they are called wild animals for a reason. I will admit lion tigers wolves and apes and bears are beautiful and owning one seems cool but they are in the wild category for a reason. I say I don’t want anything in my house that can kill me or my family in a instant. Leave them in the wild where they are meant to be. Thank you animals advocates that stepped in to save him and to the residents that fought for him too to give him the life he deserves.
Bless you, all!
Great new beginning for Charly! Being caged in someone’s home is not a way for this beautiful creature to live.
Glad he is now free.
Awesome outcome for Charlie! Thanks to all involved in saving his life.
I feel bad that I live in TX.
Agreeably it it one of the most barbaric states in the union in terms of animal abuse.
The south in general is bad but the ignorance here is appalling.
I have personally severely injured over a dozen animal abusers, some to the point of mental disability due to the beating.
Sadly, this is the only way some of these people learn.
I would love to know who you are so I could avail myself of your services
After all this time the monkey would have shown if it had rabies. The monkey should never have been living like this. The child should not have been touching it. If I was living this type of life against my wishes I would lash out.
God bless all who helped save this beautiful creature l hope he has a happy life now.
I hope you can be rescued.no animals deserve what there being put trough.people are the cruelest creation their is.
It makes me feel good that there are still some people who still cares for animals.
He deserves a life of freedeom. He was born free.
This. Is. Beautiful. Live free and safe Charly. We love you.
Thank you.