The pet chimpanzee story depresses me...

[brownie87]

I was really saddened when I heard about this. I'm really sorry for what happened to that lady who was attacked and hope she survives. On the other end of it, that woman who kept the chimp as a pet should have known better. People should not keep wild animals as domesticated pet, especially in small neighborhoods. Sorry, I feel really bad for that chimp. I hate when animals get hurt, or killed. Not that I'm downsizing anything that poor lady went through at all, but that poor chimp reacted violently because he was used to being out in the open, not stuck indoors in a cage. They shouldn't have shot him dead. They should have at least given him a tranquilizer and set him free into the wild.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by brownie87

I was really saddened when I heard about this. I'm really sorry for what happened to that lady who was attacked and hope she survives. On the other end of it, that woman who kept the chimp as a pet should have known better. People should not keep wild animals as domesticated pet, especially in small neighborhoods. Sorry, I feel really bad for that chimp. I hate when animals get hurt, or killed. Not that I'm downsizing anything that poor lady went through at all, but that poor chimp reacted violently because he was used to being out in the open, not stuck indoors in a cage. They shouldn't have shot him dead. They should have at least given him a tranquilizer and set him free into the wild.

I'm sorry but I simply have to disagree with you here. In this situation killing the chimp was the only option.

Since the animal was raised young in a domesticated environment setting it loose into the wild would be worse. He wouldn't know how to survive on his own. When the animal was raised with everything he needed given to him he wouldn't know what to do. He did not naturally grow up with other chimps in the wild and learn life "their way".

[Chocoholic]

I agree with what James said. I also think any animal that harms a person totally unprovoked should be put down.

[brownie87]

I do understand that chimps tend to be pretty wild.

[WaterLoo]

I do find this story depressing as well. I happen to be an animal lover myself and think that certain animals should not be kept as pets, even if they are domesticated from an early age, because sooner or later, their wild instincts come raging out. It's natural.

And I hope you don't mind my saying this, but it seems as though anytime someone voices an opinion around here that isn't agreeable, some people seem to want to argue about it. It's okay if you have your own opinions, but you don't have to jump all over other people for not having the same opinion. There are alot of people who love animals and who feel very saddened about this story, and someone just wanted to voice their opinion on it. Then you just jumped all over his case for no reason. Voice you opinion, but please don't attack other people.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by WaterLoo

And I hope you don't mind my saying this, but it seems as though anytime someone voices an opinion around here that isn't agreeable, some people seem to want to argue about it. It's okay if you have your own opinions, but you don't have to jump all over other people for not having the same opinion. There are alot of people who love animals and who feel very saddened about this story, and someone just wanted to voice their opinion on it. Then you just jumped all over his case for no reason. Voice you opinion, but please don't attack other people.

Well I don't know where this is coming from but in no way did I attack anyone. A disagreement is not an attack.

I did not jump on anyone or attack for no reason as you have suggested. That is the point of a messageboard, for one to share their views whether or not you agree with the poster or not.

A respectful and logical argument is not an attack.

[Yooch]

The whole situation saddens me, the lady who was attacked, the owner and the chimp itself. Keeping a wild animal is a big responsibility.

[brownie87]

Waterloo, I don't think anyone was being in any way disrespectful, or argumentative. In truth, the whole thing is very emotional and it gets everyone riled up. I appreciate differing opinions. No worries here, Water. I value other people's opinions, even if I might not share them.

[Hollow]

Originally Posted by Yooch

The whole situation saddens me, the lady who was attacked, the owner and the chimp itself. Keeping a wild animal is a big responsibility.

agreed. the owner is indeed partly to blame, but i feel sorry for her. she'd been raising him for 14 years, he'd cooperated in starring in commercials, she probably thought he was trained well enough to behave. it doesn't sound like something so horrific seemed bound to happen.

[brownie87]

It's all really upsetting.

[PunkyP0WER]

i hate to bring this up but on a disturbing sidenote there have been hints at beasteality. this mornings hartford courant (newspaper) in not so many words implied this with details of the owner and chimp taking baths together and sleeping in the same bed together "cuddling".

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc...,7536823.story

[catlover79]

The whole story, all sides of it, is very sad. What a mess.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by WaterLoo

And I hope you don't mind my saying this, but it seems as though anytime someone voices an opinion around here that isn't agreeable, some people seem to want to argue about it. It's okay if you have your own opinions, but you don't have to jump all over other people for not having the same opinion. There are alot of people who love animals and who feel very saddened about this story, and someone just wanted to voice their opinion on it. Then you just jumped all over his case for no reason. Voice you opinion, but please don't attack other people.

Did somebody assign you as moderator and forget to tell me? Nobody attacked anybody. People are giving opinions.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Janice

Did somebody assign you as moderator and forget to tell me? Nobody attacked anybody. People are giving opinions.

Well said, Janice

[TripperFan]

At first I wondered why they didn't use a tranquilizer on the chimp since the attack was over and he was found hiding in his pen (obviously knowing himself that what he did was wrong).

But unfortunately, as I said in the original thread, adult chimps tend to get "rage" (it also happens in some dogs).

Options I've thought of - tranq the chimp and take him to a zoo. That wouldn't work since it could take possibly months/years to introduce him to other chimps and to be able to get along. He wouldn't have even known what chimp behaviour is and probably would have ended up in a costly disaster. And sending him into the wild was definitely out (he was raised in captivity - he would never survive).

Unfortunately, they had no choice but to kill him. Once they start rage they don't get over it. They'll even kill and canibilize their own kind. It was too risky for any future for him. A chimp normally has 10 times the strength of a human male - when enraged that can up to a hundred times.

That's why these people who do keep wild animals have to realize that they could always be playing with a ticking time bomb. Look at Roy with the white tiger - he was the first one to admit that it wasn't the tiger's fault - that's what you have to expect when dealing with wild animals.

That's why as much of an animal lover as I am, for the good of us both, I admire them from a distance and with much respect.