CT Votes To Ban Ownership Of Dangerous Animals, Sandra Herold

Prompted by a vicious chimpanzee attack in Stamford, a key legislative committee voted Tuesday to ban the ownership of potentially dangerous animals.

The General Assembly's judiciary committee agreed to ban the private ownership of gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons, kangaroos, wolverines, hyenas, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, rattlesnakes, cobras, pythons, and many other wild animals. The measure, approved 40-1, would also ban the ownership of a rhinoceros or hippopotamus.

Anyone violating the law could be charged with a class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to one year in prison.

The measure was prompted by an attack on Charla Nash, 55, in February by a 200-pound chimpanzee. Nash was critically injured and is now recovering at the Cleveland Clinic. Nash went to the home of her close friend, Sandra Herold, to help her with Herold's 14-year-old chimpanzee, Travis.

Travis attacked Nash, causing severe injuries to her face and hands. Police shot and killed the animal. Nash has had numerous surgeries to stabilize her condition and more are expected.

The bill, which had been approved 28-2 by the environment committee, still needs final approval by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Several Republicans said the bill goes too far because it also bans small monkeys that are often kept as pets. Rep. Bill Aman, a South Windsor Republican, said legislators should amend the bill to allow about 30 small monkeys, which generally weigh less than 30 pounds, to remain with their current owners.

"They have a track record of not being violent," said Aman, who agreed with Rep. William Hamzy of Plymouth that the small monkeys are treated "like children" by the families."

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