Pet monkey attacks owner in bed

SURRY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - Sammy, a 7-year-old, 30 pound male java macaque monkey paces in his cage. Occasionally he stops to pull on the bars or rattle the floorboards. Sammy is now in the care of Debbie Jeter, director of Bear Path Acres in Southampton County, after attacking his owner two weeks ago.

"He should have had fangs removed, that's what makes him so dangerous is those fangs," said Jeter.

Surry County Animal Control officers said Sammy's owner was sleeping in a bed with the monkey when he accidentally rolled over onto it. Startled, Sammy bit the owner on his nose and arm. Now too afraid to keep him, Sammy spent 10 days in quarantine before coming to Bear Path Acres. The owners also relinquished a female macaque named Tara.

"They were loved, they were given everything they could possibly think of giving them. They were well taken care of, they just needed to do a little more research before you run out and purchase a pet," said Jeter.

Jeter runs the animal educational center on property behind her home. She cares for a variety of exotic and domestic animals at the federal and state licensed zoo. Many of the animals are former pets, so Debbie stresses to be very careful before bringing a new animal into a home.

While monkeys may look cute and cuddly, Debbie believes they do not make good pets. "In a situation like this nobody comes out ahead."

Bear Path Acres is a non-profit organization. Jeter needs to take Sammy to a vet at the Washington Zoo to be neutered before he can move to a permanent exhibit. Jeter hopes donations will help cover the $7,000 cost.

Click here to donate and learn more about Bear Path Acres.