Chimpanzee Attack Spurs Call to Ban US Primate Pet Trade

The Humane Society of the United States, with the declared support of two congressmen, is pushing a new bill that would outlaw the trade of primates across state lines. The action comes a day after a chimpanzee owner stabbed her pet as it attacked a woman in Connecticut.

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Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) urged the passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 80). Twenty states already prohibit keeping primates as pets altogether.

“The incident that occurred in Connecticut yesterday is an example of why primates should not be kept as pets and why I am determined to outlaw this reckless and dangerous practice,” said Blumenauer. “Primates are wild animals, and when kept in the home they can be a real-life threat to public safety.”

A similar measure had success in the House and Senate committee last year but the session ended before it could pass. Other measures have been proposed since 2005 when two chimps attacked a man in California.

Photo Credit: Spigoo on Flickr under Creative Commons license.

3 thoughts on “Chimpanzee Attack Spurs Call to Ban US Primate Pet Trade”

  1. Legislation will not stop irresponsible pet owners from abusing these animals. Anyone that owns a primate or other type of exotic animal should be required to keep a tranquilizer gun loaded and ready to go. That chimpanzee was given Xanex earlier in the day by one of the handlers. Hence, the attack. It is a tragedy that the animal had to die and possibly another innocent human because of the stupid decisions of the handler and lack of preparedness of the owner.

  2. Its a tragedy, yes. But the last thing this country needs is more unnecessary legislation. Seriously… don’t our lawmakers have something better to do than worry about our pets?

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