Chimp Attacks Woman in Stamford

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/connecticut/090216_Ape_Attacks_Woman_in_Stamford

Last Edited: Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 8:46 PM EST
Created On: Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 5:16 PM EST

MYFOXNY.COM/AP - An out-of-control pet 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimpanzee>chimpanzee attacked a woman 
inside a Stamford home, police said. The animal severely tore up the 
55-year-old woman's face. She was taken to Stamford Hospital with 
very severe wounds. She was in critical condition.

The 200-pound ape was named Travis. The victim was a guest of 
Travis's owners, who called police after the attack, according to the AP.

When police arrived, the chimp went after the officers. He opened a 
police car's door and cornered an officer, who shot the ape numerous times.

Travis retreated to the house and died of his wounds.

The attack happened inside the owners' home at 241 Rock Rimmon Road.

---

AP Report: Police in Connecticut Shoot Chimp

By STEPHANIE REITZ, AP

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- A 200-pound chimpanzee kept as a pet and once 
used in commercials was shot and killed by police Monday after it 
mauled a woman visiting its owner and later cornered an officer in 
his cruiser, authorities said.

Stamford police Lt. Richard Conklin said the injured woman was 
hospitalized late Monday in "very serious" condition at Stamford 
Hospital; her identity was not immediately released. Conklin said she 
suffered "a tremendous loss of blood" from serious facial injuries.

The 15-year-old chimpanzee's owner and two officers also were hurt, 
though police said the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Police said they had no idea why the chimpanzee, named Travis, 
attacked the woman as she got out of her car to visit the animal's 
owner, Sandra Herold. Conklin said Herold wrestled with the animal, 
then ran inside to call 911.

"She retrieved a large butcher knife and stabbed her longtime pet 
numerous times in an effort to save her friend, who was really being 
brutally attacked," Conklin said.

Travis ran away and started roaming on Herold's property as police 
arrived. Officers set up security so medics could reach the 
critically injured woman lying on the ground, Conklin said.

As the woman was treated, the chimpanzee went after several of the 
officers, who retreated into their cars, Conklin said. Travis opened 
the door to one cruiser and started to get in, trapping an officer 
who then shot the chimpanzee several times, Conklin said.

The wounded chimpanzee fled. Conklin said police followed the trail 
of his blood down the driveway, into the open door of the home, 
through the house and to his living quarters, where he had retreated 
and died of his wounds.

Well-known around Stamford because he rode around in trucks belonging 
to his owners' towing company, Travis appeared on TV commercials for 
Old Navy and Coca-Cola when he was younger, made an appearance on the 
"Maury Povich Show" and took part in a television pilot, according to 
a 2003 story in The Advocate newspaper of Stamford.

"He's been raised almost like a child by this family," Conklin said 
Monday. "He rides in a car every day, he opens doors, he's a very 
unique animal in that aspect. We have no indication of what provoked 
this behavior at all."

A message seeking comment was left Monday night at Herold's home.

Conklin said the chimp has been ill from Lyme disease, "so maybe from 
the medications he was out of sorts. We really don't know."

Police have dealt with the animal in the past, including an incident 
in 2003 when he escaped from his owners' vehicle in downtown Stamford 
for two hours. Officers used cookies, macadamia treats and ice cream 
in an attempt to lure him, but subdued him only after he became too 
tired to resist.

At the time of the 2003 incident, police said the Herolds told them 
the chimpanzee was toilet trained, dressed himself, took his own 
bath, ate at the table and drank wine from a stemmed glass. He also 
brushed his teeth using a Water Pik, logged onto the computer to look 
at pictures, and watched television using the remote control, police said.


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