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Family of Chimp Victim Sues for $50M

They say primate's owner should not have owned 'wild animal'

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 17, 2009 3:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Relatives of a woman mauled by a pet chimp are suing the primate's owner for $50 million, the New York Post reports today. The family of Charla Nash says Sandra Herold had no business owning a "wild animal with violent propensities" because she didn't have the skill or strength to keep it under control. The chimp, Travis, nearly killed Nash last month before Connecticut police fatally shot it. Nash remains sedated and may need a face transplant.

The gated driveway to the home where a woman was mauled by a chimpanzee is seen Feb. 20, 2009, in Stamford, Conn.
The gated driveway to the home where a woman was mauled by a chimpanzee is seen Feb. 20, 2009, in Stamford, Conn.   (AP Photo)
In this 2003 photo, Travis sits in his playroom at the Herold home in Stamford, Conn.
In this 2003 photo, Travis sits in his playroom at the Herold home in Stamford, Conn.   (The Stamford Advocate)
Sandra Herold, owner of Travis the chimpanzee, speaks to reporters in Stamford, Conn., Feb. 18, 2009.
Sandra Herold, owner of Travis the chimpanzee, speaks to reporters in Stamford, Conn., Feb. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Rob
Mar 18, 2009 3:28 AM CDT
Yes scott, very true. I understand the anger they have, but where is the shared responsibility?
sailor86
Mar 18, 2009 3:06 AM CDT
$50 million? Why not settle out of court for $40M? I think that's fair. Doesn't everybody think so?
scottaco
Mar 17, 2009 10:35 AM CDT
I bet Charla thought the chimp was so cute. Up to the mauling part, that is. If they really thought that the owner couldn't handle the potential violence, why were they there?

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