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Adorable Illegal Monkey Taken From Long Island Home
By
Scott Heins
Published May 22, 2016
Modified May 22, 2016
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By
Scott Heins
Published May 22, 2016
Modified May 22, 2016
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An adorable 22-year-old capuchin monkey was taken from a Long Island home after authorities found its owner had been keeping it as a pet without a permit. ABC reports that on Friday, a tipster notified the Suffolk County SPCA and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation about the monkey, which had been confined to a Brentwood home.
Chief Roy Gross of the SPCA said the monkey was taken to a licensed wildlife facility Sunday, and appears to be in good health.
via Suffolk County SPCA
“You can’t legally own a primate in New York State without a special license,” Gross told Newsday. “They look adorable, but can be very dangerous and inflict serious wounds and spread disease.” Capuchins are native to Central and South America, and can live up to 50 years. They can also harbor infectious diseases and inflict serious harm if they become violent.
The monkey’s owner was charged with illegally possessing an animal.
Tagged
aspca
Capuchin Monkey
long island
monkey
suffolk county
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
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