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Crazed Chimp Had Troubled History

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 2:18 PM CST

(Newser) – Travis, the Connecticut chimpanzee who was killed after he viciously attacked his owner’s friend, had a history of violence, the AP reports. A woman says he bit her hand in a 1996 incident, and then tried to pull her into a car. Leslie Mostel-Paul says she contacted police, to no avail. “If they had followed through,” she said, “maybe the laws would have been changed sooner.”

If her complaint had been heeded, Mostel-Paul said, it’s possible “this other woman wouldn't be in the hospital, fighting for her life now.” Authorities were also involved in 2003 when Travis escaped and ran amok in downtown Stamford, Conn. An animal control officer spoke to owner Sandra Herold about keeping him in line. “Male chimpanzees, once they reach maturity, can be aggressive,” she said. “I'm sure I did express that to her.”

[Images (3)]

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Sandra Herold, owner of Travis the chimpanzee. (AP Photo)

Travis in 2003. (AP Photo)

Travis is coaxed into a waiting sport utility vehicle after escaping in downtown Stamford, Conn., in 2003. (AP Photo)

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She did say that herself. She knew someone day he would probably have to go to a sanctuary. She knew chimpanzees, they can get more difficult to handle as they get older. - Animal control officer Lynn DellaBianca, on Herold and Travis

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

Guest

Feb 21, 2009 5:12 AM CST

They said this happens when economic crisis hits. Intellectuals just go ape and the left and right come out swinging. I'm sorry but animals are animals and people are people. Can we make that distinction. Don't give your chimp a wine glass and stop drawing stupid monkey cartoons.

Shannonals

Feb 20, 2009 3:04 AM CST

A troubled history? This is a wild animal!

Guest

Feb 19, 2009 9:57 PM CST

Did his troubled history include mixing his wine with Xanax? Did he drink excessively or was it just on weekends? Had he promised before: "never to do it again?" Also was he ever given a chance to counseling or did he seek advice from a pastor? Sorry but other news headlines just led me here.

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Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Victim has lost eyes, nose, jaw
New York Daily News

Herold backtracks, says Travis not on Xanax
Telegraph (UK)

On the possible legislative impact of the attack
Associated Press

US • Crime & Courts • Science

chimpanzees • animal attack • Animal Control • Sandra Herold • Travis • history of violence

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