Monkeyshines in Spokane
3/14/2008
Last week a pet monkey, named Chico, escaped its owners’ home and bit three people on Spokane’s South Hill. One of the monkey’s victims, Arron Trujillo, was walking his dog when the monkey chased him down the street, growled and bit him on the thumb. Arron’s mother, Dorothy Trujillo, was also bitten when the monkey charged at her and bit her leg. A teenage girl in the same neighborhood was another bite victim.
The owners of the monkey had owned him for five years. According to the city’s law, they could face up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The City of Spokane forbids monkeys in the city limits because “monkeys are an inherently dangerous animal.” The reason Chico’s owners are not facing federal charges is because the money was not brought in from outside the United States. Any time a pet injures someone else the possibility of renters’ or homeowners’ insurance should be explored. For example, bite cases can cause severe injuries, large medical bills and disfigurement. Don’t assume the dog, monkey or other pet is entitled to a “free bite.”
