In 2009, a chimpanzee owned by a Connecticut woman tore off the face of another woman in a vicious unprovoked attack. The woman has since had a face transplant. Since 1990, more than 250 people, including dozens of children, have been injured by primates.
This is why Born Free USA applauds U. S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. and Michael G. Fitzpatrick, R-PA, for introducing H.R. 2856, the Captive Primate Safety Act and urges the bill’s swift passage. The bill seeks to prohibit interstate commerce of monkeys, apes and other primates for the exotic pet trade.
The exotic pet trade is a multi-billion dollar business with dealers and breeders of these creatures selling them over the internet or out-of-state dealers and auctions. People not well-versed in the care of an exotic animal or mistakingly think having one of these animls would be cute are always in for a rude awakening. When reality smacks them in the face, the animal is the one who suffers at the hands of the people who bought them.
“The captive primate trade involves horrific animal suffering and serious threats to human safety”, according to Adam Roberts, Executive Vice President of Born Free USA. Robert continues to say “the animals suffer babaric treatment such as having their teeth extracted. We cannot allow animals to be mutilitated in the name of companionship. There is no excuse for keeping nonhuman primates as pets. They cannot be domesticaed or tamed. Their natural behavior is dangerous and they belong in the wild, not in someone’s home.”
This bill is necessary to protect the primates from unscrupulous people, those who want them as pets and support the efforts of state law enforcement and to promote global conservation efforts.
Infant monkeys used for the pet trade are typically removed from their mothers, as babies are in high demand. However people quickly discover that primates are extremely active, messy, destructive, and bite. Ultimately, weary of attacks on people and damage to the home, pet monkeys are often relegated to a life of isolation, loneliness, frustration and neglect. When people do decide to relinquish them, there are few places to turn, according to Born Free.
Born Free USA is located in Texas and is home to 600 primates. Some of them are former pets. When people are no longer able to care for their primated, many have been found in dark basements covered in their own feces. Roberts says “Born Free USA is happy to provide some of these victims with a large open place to live out their lives in freedom, with proper food and care, social interaction with other primates, and grass and trees for the first time in their lives.”
The Born Free USA primate sanctuary exotic incident database www.bornfreeusa.org/database tracks primate incidents as well as other wildlife (lions, tigers, reptiles). So far in 2013, a dozen incidents have been reported including dangerous escapes in Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana and injuries to humans in Missouri (six year old boy bitten) and Texas (police officer bitten).
Born Free is urging for a swift passage of HR 2856- Captive Primate Safety Act. It will prohibit the interstate commerce of monkeys, apes and other primates for the exotic pet trade.
This bill needs to be passed. Primates belong in the wild and don’t belong in the homes of those who are not equipped to handle exotic animals. Owning these animals is cruel and dangerous not only to those who have them but also to others in the event they escape. Primates and other wild animals need to live in their natural habitat. We must stop the sale of primates for these reasons. It is crucial for this bill to be passed for all parties involved.
It’s always something when it comes to animals. Who in their right mind wants a wild animal in their home? These are wild animals, people! They can hurt you and it’s cruel to keep them confined as if they’re kids. It’s animal cruelty.
The internet is a haven for unscrupulous people willing to sell any kind of animal to consumers without a thought about the animal. It’s always about money no matter what the cause. The exotic primate trade needs to stop. I hope this gets passd quickly.
People keep treating animals in the wrong way. Why would anyone want a primate? These are wild animals. They don’t belong in a house. I remember that chimpanzee ripping off that woman’s face. It was so horrible. That woman raised him from the time he was litte. He was too old to be there. I know she thought of him as her kid but no one could ever stop him if he ever got angry and it proved it, sadly.
I knew someone who had an exotic pet. What a bad idea. They had no clue had to take care of it as it got bigger. They were forced to give it away. I knew it was a bad idea from the beginning. They thought it was cute to have. People need to think before getting any pet, let alone an exotic pet that doesn’t belong in our homes.
The more I hear what people do to animals, the more I like animals. I don’t want to be that way but it’s digusting how people treat animals. I don’t how people who work with animals deal with the public knowing what’s done to the animals. I’d want to rip their heads off.
Why are people so stupid? Why would anyone be so cruel and keep a wild animal confined in their basement. I feel people are fundamentally stupid or ignorant when it comes to animals. They don’t have a clue that their actions are wrong and stupid. What has happened to society?
The image says it all. It’s unnatural to be treating wild animals like kids. Wrong! And so sad for the animals.
Yay for this bill. This time it needs to get passed. Primates belong in their natural habitat NOT in people’s homes. Another commenter said it well by saying the picture you have here says it all. That is cruel and unfair to do that to a primate.
Anything and everything is for sale even exotic pets. Great-NOT!
hi!,I really like your writing very much! I agree with the others and don’t feel anyone should own an exotic pet. They’re a danger to themselves and to others. It’s a no-brainer.
I think it’s horrible that people want primates for pets. Taking them out of their natural habitat and putting them in a home is cruel. They’re wild animals and not meant to be domesticated. People don’t care about animals if they do this. I hope this passes soon.
IDIOTS!
Let them pass it when the new session begins!
To see someone keeping a wild animal as if it was a baby/child is upsetting. This is not their natural environment and need to be among their own. We, humans, ruin so much for animals. Let them be. Let them be free!