Some pet monkeys on loose during tri-county wildfire

  

PLANTERSVILLE, TX -- A pet monkey on the loose during the Texas wildfires has been fatally shot and taken to a veterinarian for rabies testing.

The small South American monkey was among 10 living in cages at a monkey rescue operation north of Houston. But owners set them free when a wildfire approached last week.

Officials say the male monkey was shot by a deputy Wednesday, three days after it bit a game warden.

Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell says he hated to see the monkey die. But he says the animal was aggressive and posed too much of a public hazard.

Authorities say such monkeys look cuddly but have large, sharp teeth.

The Houston Chronicle reports that seven monkeys have returned to their pens, but two remain on the loose.

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