Owner: ‘My chimp has ripped her face off’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The owner of a 200lb (90kg) chimpanzee that began mauling a woman begged police to “Hurry, please! He ripped her face off”.
Police in Connecticut released tapes of Sandra Herold’s phone call to police on Monday as her chimp, Travis, attacked Charla Nash, 55.
The chimp can be heard grunting as Ms Herold cries: “He’s killing my friend … He ripped her apart! Shoot him!” When police arrive, an officer radios back: “We’ve got to get this guy out of here. He’s got no face.”
The chimp kept attacking Ms Nash as Ms Herold, 70, stabbed it and hit it with a shovel. “He looked at me like, ‘Mom, what did you do?’” Ms Herold told NBC’s Today Show. “It was horrific what happened and I had to do what I had to do, but still, I’ll miss him for the rest of my life.”
Ms Nash was in a critical condition yesterday with injuries to her face and hands. Police said they are looking into laying criminal charges.
Police said the chimp had been agitated on Monday and Ms Herold had given him the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. Emil Coccaro, the chief of psychiatry at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, said Xanax could make unstable humans aggressive.
Ms Nash had gone to Ms Herold’s home to help her coax the chimp back into the house after he got out. It lunged at her when she arrived and then ran away but returned and went after several police officers, who retreated into their cars. One officer shot 15-year-old Travis after the animal started to get into his car. The chimp, which starred in TV adverts, retreated to the house and died.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments