Chimp that attacked escaped before, Nash lawyers say

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Legal documents show that an out-of-control chimpanzee who severely injured a Stamford woman in in 2009 escaped from his cage five months earlier and prompted his owner to ask that he be shot with a tranquilizer gun.

The Hartford Courant reports that Marcella Leone, owner of a private zoo in Greenwich, testified in a deposition that Sandra Herold, owner of Travis the chimpanzee, called to tell her he needed to be restrained.

Nobody got hurt in that incident, which resolved itself. But lawyers for Charla Nash, who was mauled and has required several surgeries, say the 2008 phone message was one of several warnings ignored by state officials. Police fatally shot the chimpanzee during the attack.

A hearing is scheduled for Friday on whether Nash may sue the state for $150 million in claimed damages.

---
Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com

---
WAKE UP WITH EYEWITNESS NEWS! Click here to download the WABC Eyewitness News Alarm Clock app from iTunes. or search WABC or 7online in the app store.

Get Eyewitness News Delivered

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters | Text Alerts

Get more Northern Suburbs News »

charla nash, chimp attack, chimpanzee, northern suburbs news

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•