chimps loose in Las Vegas

It was a scary day for some residents when they were told to stay in their house because there were Chimps loose in Las Vegas.

It sounds like something you’d hear about in the movies but it wasn’t.  Thankfully no humans were injured however one of the chimps loose in Las Vegas was shot to death by an officer of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD)

The chimps loose in Las Vegas drama unfolded after the approximately 170 pound chimpanzees escaped from the enclosure in were supposedly kept in.

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The calls starting pouring in to police starting at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Thursday about two apparently highly agitated chimpanzees that were on the loose.

A chimp that appears to be in a home and not a backyard enclosure. This photo is from the same profile as the others but there is no caption. It is unknown if the chimp in the photo is Buddy, CJ or another chimp. Photo from facebook

They had escaped from their enclosure at a residence near Jones Boulevard and Ann Road in the Northwestern part of Las Vegas.

Calamity Jane (CJ), the female chimp was subdued with two tranquilizer shots. The male chimp named Buddy, was shot by a police officer after he allegedly charged the cop.

The male chimp was pounding on cars and was shot by the LVMPD as he tried to make his way across an intersection where a group of spectators, some with children, decided to watch the drama unfold placing themselves directly in the path of danger. This is even after the LVMPD issued repeated alerts via Twitter for nearby residents to say inside or in their vehicle.  Here are some of  the tweets

Chimpanzee’s still NOT captured. Important to avoid the area and let animal control and police work to get them in custody. Please RT.

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 12, 2012

Residents in the area of Rowland Ave., NE of Ann/Jones need to stay indoors or in vehicles! One chimp is still outstanding. PLEASE RT!

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 12, 2012

Residents/motorists in the area of Ann Rd/N Jones please stay inside, officers trying to capture 2 dangerous chimpanzees on the loose!

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 12, 2012

The LVMPD even gave the owners of the wayward and dangerous chimps some leeway by first allowing the owner to attemp to gain control and move them back to their enclosure.   After an unsuccessful attempt at corralling the chimps and when Buddy attempted to cross the intersection, the officers knew that action had to be taken to protect human lives.

According to the LVRJ, Local veterinarian Dr. Toby Goldman who assisted in the rescue efforts and has treated both of the chimps as patients in the past, said the police officer did the right thing in shooting the male chimp. He said, “Chimpanzees are much stronger than humans and can be unpredictable.”

Both PETA and the Humane Society support the officers actions as well.

Nevada is one of just six states that does not regulate private ownership of exotic animals. It’s not illegal to have exotic animals in a home as long as homeowners have the correct permits.

Timmi DeRosa – Lee Watkinsons wife – also a great poker player and business woman. Donated, unconditionally, endless money, time, patience and, above all, love to Buddy and CJ. She’s their ‘other mummy’ and they love her dearly.
(photos from facebook)

Some of the neighbors did not even know that the dangerous animals were housed so nearby because they are not required to be notified.

Although not everyone agreed with the officers’ action, one just has to remember the case of Charla Nash, who was severely mauled by her good friend’s chimp. You can read about her her harrowing attack, face transplant and continued rehabilitation on the Charla Nash website.

Over 10 years ago, the 8NewsNow I-Team did an investigative piece because they received a tip from animal rights activists that the two chimps, then just babies, were being put on display at an indoor swap meet.

Buddy the chimp killed seemed to spend a lot of time inside the home of his owners.From facebook: John, my hubby, saying to our son “one thing at a time, Bud’s.” 

The trainer Nikki Riddell, now Nikki Grusenmeyer invited the I-Team into her home.  Although she did admit they were, “wild animals”, the I-Team noted that after several visits, “she never seemed to face — or admit — the reality that it might simply be a bad idea to live with wild exotic animals”

That is evident from her facebook photos where images of Buddy and CJ are often seen dressed in human clothes including drinking out of pepsi cans, “reading” newspapers and kissing their owners and caretakers on the mouth. A number of the pictures posted show the chimps clearly in a house eating breakfast as well as lounging on the couch. Buddy is also repeatedly referred to as “my son”.

This time the chimps loose in Las Vegas ended with one chimp dead and miraculously no humans injured.  Some members of the community are concerned if it can happen again.

It is obvious that the family dearly cares for the animals however the danger they present to the community is very real.

Related articles

• 1 chimp dead, 1 tranquilized after Vegas escape(hosted.ap.org)

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• Vegas Chimp Shooting Breaks Hearts on Twitter(mashable.com)

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