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[Carrie McLaren <temporary181 AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Md. Woman Fights To Get Pet Monkey Back Home

Video:
http://wjz.com/seenon/local_story_157225621.html

Jun 6, 2007

(WJZ) ROCKVILLE, Md. An unusual battle continued 
Wednesday night for a Maryland woman fighting to 
get her pet monkey back.

As Kathryn Brown reports, the monkey known as 
'Armani' was seized by animal control weeks ago 
and his future is currently hanging in the 
balance.

For Elise Gazewitz, the pictures of her beloved pet are bittersweet.

Three weeks ago, animal control officials seized 
the monkey from Gazewitz's Rockville home, 
claiming he is a wild animal that cannot be kept 
as a pet.

"It's very hard to just tear something that is 
screaming, off your body," said Gazewitz. That's 
what she said happened when officials came to 
take Armani.

Despite the wild scene that took place when 
officials took Armani away, Gazewitz said the 
capuchan monkey is remarkably tamable.

She also argued during a hearing Wednesday that 
Montgomery County officials should have given her 
at least 10 days to find another legal place for 
the monkey out of state.

But associate Montgomery County attorney William Snoddy has another view.

"Essentially everyone is on notice of what the 
law is. So if you have a monkey or animal that's 
illegal to possess, [you will be charged]," said 
Snoddy.

Montgomery County code bans all animals of an 
"untamable disposition," including those with 
"characteristics that reflect domestication and 
taming."

Until the board hearing the case decides, Armani 
will continue staying at the Catoctin Zoo in 
Thurmont.

Meanwhile, a $4,000 addition to the room, which 
was built for Armani, remains empty. The monkey's 
toys and baby clothes are still laid out for him, 
waiting for the monkey to return.

"For an animal lover that knows how much you love 
your animal, you would fight to get them back," 
said Gazewitz.

After Wednesday's hearing, Armani's future was 
still up in the air, with the possibility of him 
being returned to his owner or being donated to a 
monkey sanctuary, still undecided.

The Montgomery County board ruling on the case 
said it would make a decision in the next couple 
of weeks.

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