Chimps being kept in Southwest Las Vegas neighborhood

By Chellie Cervone - Posted: Oct 27, 2012 at 2:03 am

Chimps being kept in Southwest Las Vegas neighborhood

Deutsch: Eine Gruppe Schimpanse (Pan troglodyt...

Chimps like these should not be kept in a backyard RV (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are recent allegations made of Chimps being kept in Southwest Las Vegas and quite frankly, it is scary and certainly threatens the residents that live in close proximity.

Who can forget the sad saga of Buddy and CJ the chimps? Plain and simple, their owners and poker playing “caretakers” used the chimps to make money. They were easy to handle when they were young, small and cute; not so easy when they grew into 200 pound chimps.

Buddy and CJ escaped and were trouncing through the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Buddy was shot by Police and killed. Although it was sad, it was necessary. Not too long after, CJ escaped.

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Some residents did not even know how close they lived to a very real and potential danger.

Finally, bowing to community pressure CJ was relocated to an animal sanctuary in Oregon where she is treated much better and not forced to be stuffed into an inadequate enclosure.

Now comes news from the I-Team at 8 New Now that another resident is keeping chimpanzees in his home. The chimps being kept in Southwest Las Vegas appear to be living in poor conditions since they are living in an RV.

Apparently their owner uses them to make money by appearing at birthday parties and events and an animal rights activist says that they are being raised secretly in the neighborhood without a permit. One of the younger chimps even has a facebook page.

James “Mike” Casey is the man who apparently lives at the home located at Robindale Road at Decatur Boulevard in Southwest Las Vegas and owns the RV where the chimps are being contained.

Stacy A. Jones owns the house and she is the one who is applying for permission to keep four chimpanzees and a capuchin monkey on the property. The Enterprise Town Advisory Board is expected to hear the issue at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. at Las Vegas Boulevard South.

The I-Team reports that Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak said the property where Casey lives was previously licensed to house lions, tigers, cougars and other big cats. He said that despite not holding a business license, Casey appears to be using the animals for business purposes.

Sisolak also said,

He’s not licensed to have any chimps on the property (and) there’s a question regarding Animal Control regarding the housing and safety of it. What he has now inside the fence structure, he has an RV that he’s put in there. He has cages inside the RV that the chimps apparently go in the RV and go in a cage — which isn’t an acceptable way.

It certainly is not and sounds cruel, which as we know in the case of Buddy and CJ, leads to more aggression in an already aggressive animal.

Although there have not been any known incidents at the Las Vegas residence, Casey has had issues in the past in the state of Missouri One chimp was shot dead by police after it escaped posing a threat.

Who can forget what happened to Charla Nash after she was attacked by a friends Chimp? That chimp was born on Casey’s ranch.

Do you really want these Chimps in your neighborhood? Why should they be allowed to stay if he, as it is alleged, has been keeping the chimps there secretly?

Do you feel safe allowing your children to play or to simply take a walk around the neighborhood where you live when there is a very real chance that you, your kids or loved ones can be attacked.

Casey did meet with animal rights activists and admitted to not having his permit in order but maintains that he can properly care for the chimps.

The Clark County Commission is expected to decide Nov. 20 whether to allow Casey’s chimps to stay. For now it looks like they are allowed to remain on the property.

You can contact the Clark County Commission to voice your opposition online and/or you can show up at The Enterprise Town Advisory Board at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. at Las Vegas Boulevard South as well as attend the Nov. 20 hearing.

There is a link on the Clark County Commission home page referenced above where you can email the commissioners or call (702) 455-3500.