It should be a crime to domesticate exotic animals including birds. It is a sin to deprive these animals of their basic rights of freedom to roam about and live their lives instinctively.

Keeping animals like chimpanzees or wild animals is extremely dangerous and should be prohibited.

But putting animals in a zoo or having them running around in a three ring circus for our enjoyment is ok. Do you really believe those animals get the tretment they deserve.

I also believe that wild animals should remain in the wild.It is their NATURAL habitat,and people that keep these animals should be charged with Animal Cruelty,and abuse.
Also,I believe that oprah USES other peoples'misfortunes to cash in on millions of dollars.She puts people on her show,that have
misfortunes,ONLY so she can put the money in her pocket. Especially women.She capitalizes on other peoples misfortunes, for the almighty dollar.So I truely urge the people that go on her show, to think about not only what they will get out of it,but ALSO,what oprah will get out of it.Your misfortunes are paying her mortgage.

First of all yes it is better for them to live at the zoo they take good care of them! Second of all should not domesticate an animal, like that Driking wine, showering (like a human) , eating at a dinner table, commercials! But bears , wild cats, monkey of all kinds should not be put in that situation!

First of all yes it is better for them to live at the zoo they take good care of them! Second of all should not domesticate an animal, like that Driking wine, showering (like a human) , eating at a dinner table, commercials! But bears , wild cats, monkey of all kinds should not be put in that situation!

to the woman that thinks Oprah uses other peoples misfortunes to cash in......think about it.....she has a talk show! Would you watch it if she covered "How Joe went grocery shopping yesterday"
Oprah is a compationate, caring woman-and I pray every day that someday she would help me-as she helps the millions like me without a dime to their names!!!!!!!! And as for the woman mauled---I have dogs-domesticated dogs-that have still turned for no reason;animals are animals-especially wild animals-and can not be trusted no matter how tame and docile they seem be!!! I am happy that she does not remember the incident! Darla J Larvick

I think all gorillas and monkeys should be uthinized

Glad it attacked the moron.....stupid! Poor chimp is killed because they should not be domesticated.....you deserved everything you got....hope you have much more pain and suffering to come......dumbass

to Erin... glad it attacked the moron? The woman who was attacked is not the owner of the chimp. She was a neighbor who happened to be outside when the chimp got loose. You are the moron. read the news... dumbass

It sould be against the law to have exotic animals as pets. It is cruel to these animals forced to live unnaturally. I don't like zoos either.

The individual responsible for this event is the fool who was keeping the chimp as a pet. Travis lost his life; the pet owner is the one who owes her friend - not Travis!

Leroy and Erin - Shame on you! Just because a person has a love of animals -whether it be a domesticated animal or an exotic animal, she did not deserve the mauling she got. Yes, she should have known that the chimp could turn on her but that is a chance you take when you are around a wild animal. How many pit bulls attack people? If we "shot" everything that could hurt us, there would be a lot less people as well as animals walking around. You cannot blame a wild animal for being a "wild animal". If you work with them, you need to take appropriate precautions, that day, unfortunately, the worst happened. But, that doesn't mean that she should continue suffering.

There is soooo much HATE in the world.. Cant we all get along? and stop being so hateful and violent. True- Wild animals are wild and should be kept in the wild. Dogs were also wild until domesticated. And so were cats which stem down from generation to generation. All kinds of Primates were here long before we were and THAT is where WE came from. How dare anyone acuse that woman or the chimp for wrong doing.. its not their fault. It is the owner's fault for what happened. She should have kept him in the wild where he belonged. Though much has been learned by scientists and such when investigated wild and we learn a lot from them too, But to be hateful is wrong! How would you like to be taken from your home where you grew up and put in a cage? SIMPLY SO WRONG!!!!

This is exactly why wild animals should be left in the wild. I totally agree with Lola. It's bad enough that we use these majestic creatures for laboratory testing. Then this poor creature gets stabbed repeatedly and then shot. How horrific and sad. It should be illegal to own these pets unless you are a animal behaviorist and have a reason.

People should think twice about keeping any animal who can overpower them or somebody else. Sooner or later, it will realize it can, then, it will, especially if an intelligent animal, like a chimp. Same goes for pit bulls. If they insist, then they should keep it in such a way that it can not come in contact with people. Male animals seem to be the worse. People who want pets should keep cats and dogs, birds, certain rodents, fish, etc.

Mike Benardo
San Francisco, Cal.

To Erin..... You can tell how ignorant a person is when they open their MOUTH. What is the CHIMP had attacked your MOTHER, SISTER,, etc. WHAT WOULD
YOU SAY THEN? duuuuuuuuuuu SPEAK NOW !

I agree that wild animals should not be domesticated. As a youngster, I dreamed of having a pet cougar but as I grew older I realized the folly of that dream. The woman that owned the chimp should be held responsible for the damage done to the neighbor, period. Our legislators should look carefully into outlawing personal ownership of wild animals.

To Janice above. Not everyone believes that we have descended from apes. If this were true, why are there still apes? If animals are able to "adapt" or "evolve" to better cope with living situations (scientists have long claimed that giraffes necks have elongated over time to enable them to reach the tree tops and that elephants trunks elongated for the same reason). My question is then why is the spring buck still so tiny, why don't they evolve to have longer legs? If humans evolved from apes, and adaptation is real, then why are there still so many short people in the world? Wouldn't all men be tall and muscular if we could control our physique by sheer will? I have never swallowed the evolution argument. It just doesn't make sense.

once again we have to ask ourselves....who is smater...humans or animals?

I would have to say animals win again.

We should be more worried about the lack of education in this country. People like Erin here who take to calling others stupid morons. Yet he/she does not have the most basic ability to read and comprehend a paragraph, i dare say the chimp shows more intelligence.

Oh, but we're Human and how dare any animal attack a Human. We take them into our homes and care for them and this is how they repay us? Kill the ungrateful trash. (tongue in cheek)

Well, I have a deep appreciation for animals and it is always sad when an animal has to die because of our human actions. I agree that the woman who owned the chimp probably only kept him because she felt she was doing something good and right. Unfortunately, what we all need to realize as animal lovers is that the best thing to do for any wild animal is provide plenty of safe and natural habitat for them to live out their lives, and for use to watch and admire only from a distance. We need to care more responsibly for our world so that there are fewer reasons to "need" to keep animals like this. No way should the opportunity have come up for the woman to be attacked and no way should the chimp have been killed. The circumstances were all wrong. But we as humans like to have what we want, do our good will and entertain ourselves, etc.... one day, maybe, we will learn.

One more thing, I just read the post from Allen. Allen you speak about this animal as though it has human rationale. It is not human and has no way of valueing human life the way we value our own lives. Its a wild ANIMAL... again I say ANIMAL. No, it does not appreciate what we do for it, it may like the attention, the daily feedings,etc. But will not appreciate and be "greatful". It is OUR fault that animals attack us because of what we have done to it, not what it has done to us. Animals are creatures with primative thought processes. Not trash, victims of cirmcumstance :(

Having ANY animal as a pet should be agianst the law. Period. Stick to your own species people! Plain and simple. There is no logical argument that can prove any animal makes a better pet than another animal. So don't even go there...

This is a terrible situation -
That should have never happened - Why don't people learn from these mistakes, Wild animals are just that- wild and unpredictable. If this had been a pit bull - the owner would be up on charges. adults should be responsible for the mistakes they make.

Yes, Steve. You got it right.

Linda B. If Oprah is cashing in on other peoples misfortune what about the other TV shows, actors, directors, writers etc. Oprah is a talk show host that's what she is suppose to do interviews with people. You didn't say anything about the Today Show cashing in on her misfortune they had the interview first. Anyway I hope this woman gets all the money and support she deserves because I also thing wild animals should be kept in the habitat.

I wondered when I heard the news about this woman being attacked if she would survive. She is truly a survivor and courageous to be able to talk about this horrific ordeal.

I hope anyone who is an owner of exotic animals keeping them as pets watches Oprah's show. Wild animals belong in the wild or with people who are trained to handle them. These animals are not meant to live in our homes. This could have easily been a child walking to school. People need to stop being so selfish and think about the animal's needs and the people and neighbors that surround them.
God Bless this woman for being able to speak out. I hope her story makes people think about the animals people keep and other's safety as well.

And yes, wild animals need to stay in the wild and if not in an animal sanctuary where they can be cared for by trained individuals.

first of all, half of you are idiots! the other half - THANK YOU!! if you have a wild animal in your home, i hope it attacks you, the fact that this chimp was killed for being an animal is appauling! Animals should not be in zoos either, they are not born for our entertainment!! They spend their entire lives trapped in a cage! And we think it's cute to see them sit in their sorrow. Nice life! It all revolves around money! Thats all! I wish the chimp would've done more harm to her for having to suffer living an unnatural life and then dying for reacting naturally. This world needs to wake the F%#$ UP!!!

AND ERIN! thats the whole point, they shouldnt be domesticated at all, because of things like this! If it takes another life for people to learn from animals, then it should be taken! this race is disgusting!

I MEANT MATT!! THE DUMBASS!

Erin, maybe you should direct all that anger and hatred in your heart to the Human Beings who placed it there. That poor woman has to live with permanent injuries her entire life because someone else chose to attempt to domesticate an animal that is wild and unpredictable and has no business being in a home. Why don't you try a little compassion, smypathy, forgiveness perhaps? It might change your life Erin. My prayers go out to the victim, I admire her courage for speaking about this unfortunate incident.

This was such a tragedy that could have been prevented by laws that EVERY state should have. Only people licensed and have the facilities to care for wild animals should be able to. Chimpanzes are not pets. They are meant to be in the wild or (if circumstances warrant) a facility that is adept at caring for primates).

Well, this was a very interesting discussion. Bottom Line is, and I think most of us get it. Bad situation, poor woman, poor animal... humans fault not animals fault. You all take care and be good.

curry126@hotmail.com

GAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!

If you really love animals you let them be in their environment (you dont keep them as pets 'cause you love them so much..) and also the owner of the chimp should go to jail so next people would think twice before buying a wild animal.
Where the hell can you buy a chimp? In the pet store????

Considering the fact that the lawsuit is probably going to bankrupt the owner of the chimp, comments such as the one above are more than likely made by dipshits with a holier-than-thou attitude.

Considering the fact that the lawsuit is probably going to bankrupt the owner of the chimp, comments such as the one above are more than likely made by dipshits with a holier-than-thou attitude.

I've been reading through these thoughts and opinions, and I find the bulk of these thoughts are either mean-spirited or superior. Instead of cursing others darkness' or dictating laws that should be followed, perhaps we could simply admit that all we really know about this particular instance is that a woman was badly hurt and an animal was killed. Spewing venom or self-righteousness serves no good purpose, but simply showing compassion or grief does serve a purpose albeit mostly within ourselves.

Whild animals shoulsd be left in the wild.

this is very unfortunate, but don't you think it's a little inappropriate to try and calaim a million dollars

stfu hippie >:0

seriously, if she were attacked by a dog, that could have killed her as well, would she be taken serious to sue the owner for a million dollars. I THINK NOT!

That's what I'm saying... just in a mean way.

Janice, we did not come from animals. We did not evolve. We were created by our Creator. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

Janice, we did not come from animals. We did not evolve. We were created by our Creator. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

Wild animals should be left in the wild. That's it--nothing to argue about. This includes birds, snakes, chimps, monkeys, lions and tigers and elephants and turtles too! Geez, people, get a grip! If you want a child, adopt an orphan, there are plenty. If you desire a pet, get a dog or cat--or grow an ant farm outside.

I wonder if Ophra will pay for the womans surgeries. She makes money off of her guests, why not help this one. No amount of money will ever give her a "normal" life. How sad that a beautiful wild animal had to lose its life over the keepers stupidity.

Oh, one more thing! The woman who was attacked should take every last dime the owner of that chimp had--she deserves nothing. There she was crying over her chimp, when her "friend" was half dead, blinded, no hands, scarred for life. Hmmm..didn't see any tears for the "friend." It IS a shame that a chimp (or any animal for that matter) had to be killed--BECAUSE OF THE OWNER--who had no right to keep a wild animal from their "natural" life! Everyone is a loser in this case. Too bad.

DUMB DUMB YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER THEN TO HAVE WILD ANIMALS AS PETS BY THE WAY GOD DIID NOT CREAT US WE CAME FROM PRIMATES SO IF GOD SAW THIS HE WOULD JUST SHAKE HIS HEAD MAYBE YOU WILL NOW THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING THIS AGAIN THE CHIMP LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF YOU STUIPD ASS MISTAKE YOU ARE AN ASSS

DUMB DUMB YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER THEN TO HAVE WILD ANIMALS AS PETS BY THE WAY GOD DIID NOT CREAT US WE CAME FROM PRIMATES SO IF GOD SAW THIS HE WOULD JUST SHAKE HIS HEAD MAYBE YOU WILL NOW THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING THIS AGAIN THE CHIMP LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF YOU STUIPD ASS MISTAKE YOU ARE AN ASSS

DUMB DUMB YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER THEN TO HAVE WILD ANIMALS AS PETS BY THE WAY GOD DIID NOT CREAT US WE CAME FROM PRIMATES SO IF GOD SAW THIS HE WOULD JUST SHAKE HIS HEAD MAYBE YOU WILL NOW THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING THIS AGAIN THE CHIMP LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF YOU STUIPD ASS MISTAKE YOU ARE AN ASSS

Erin..how can you be so cruel. Apparently you didn't read the entire story of what happened. It was not the victim's chimp. Hope you believe in Karma because wishing bad things on people will only rebound on you. You're selfish, nonempathetic; and possibly psychotic with your remarks.

Okay, Erin..you screwed up, yes. Just admit it and move on.

I believe that whenever you are looking to have a pet, you HAVE to do the research. Chimps and other wild animals do not belong in the home and any injury they cause is the responsibility of the owner. I know the owner is sick with grief but she should have done her homework a little better.
When we were looking for a dog that would best suit and fit for children, we researched so many breeds. We adopted a male golden retriever and fell in love. He was so good with our children and nieces/nephews.He has long since passed but I always remember how good he was to us and our children. Its the only breed we have ever owned since. We currently have 3 and love them tremendously for their individual loving personalities.
So, do your research, weigh the pro's and con's and for God's sake, don't purchase a wild by nature animal. It should be prohibited immediately.

DIS THREAD IZ 4 DA GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY

animals kill animals. god or no god, we are animals just the same. we kill them, they kill us. stfu.

@smarter than the average fucktard: domesticated animals started out wild then became domesticated through breeding and generations of training. gtfo and take your fail with you.

I feel sorry for both the victim and the chimp's owner. Neither one of them would have ever wanted this to happen. The victim's life is changed forever never being able to see again. Thank God it didn't kill her.
Can you imagine how the chimp's owner feels too. This was a friend of hers. Can you imagine the quilt she must feel?
If you have animals you know how they become a part of your family. She loved the chimp and treated it like a child. Yes, people shouldn't own an animal that can overpower them but this is not a horrilble, mean, cruel person. This is a woman that was caring for an animal she loved. I bet she wishes she could go back and change things but she can't.

Erin, I'll bet you look like a monkey and smell like one too.

A horrible thing happened and there were two victims...the woman and the chimp.

Hey Joe, I think the animal is much smater then you!

Actually there were three victims...the owner too...she will forever remember this.

Erin is what many refer to as a "Cyber Troll". A first cousin to the Napoleon Syndrome. She can sit back behind "the safety of her computer" screen and she obviously feels the need to speak about things A) she doesn't have ALL the information on and B) wouldn't DARE have the audacity to say to anyone's face. She/He (it) simply is a coward.

My heart goes out to the victim and her family & hopefully Oprah / Harpo can help pay for her medical expenses, counseling and so on. Oprah does a lot of great things for many. But my prayers go to the innocent.

Mandy Ashford
Marshall, MO
mrsa@marshallhomes.com

If I remember correctly when this first came out, this lady that was injured had been around the animal and helped out with the animal in many instances. So when the animal goes back to "his nature" she sues. It was a horrible thing to happen, but she took the chances with the chimp long before this happened. Now the tax payers eventually pay for all of this.

The woman who owned the chimp knew the animal was troubled, thus she medicated the animal with xanax to keep it under control. The owner should have to take financial responsibility for the injury it caused to this woman. A dog owner is responsible for damages when it rips someones arm or face apart, why shouldnt this owner be responsible financially too? Do you think the victim is going to be able to live a normal life and work a normal job anytime soon? I think not. Just the cost of the medical procedures and meds she will need for the rest of her life would bankrupt anyone. The bottim line is, wild animals should be left in the wild or in a zoo where they can be properly cared for and habitated in a somewhat normal environment. Stop and think how any of you would feel if it were you or someone you love who ended up with his/her face ripped off due to an attack by ANY animal be it a dog or an ape. Not to mention that her hands are also history. Earning a living is now out of the question for this woman. Compassion for the victim is definitely in order.

you people are all morons if you take time to care about what is on oprah and if she profits

This is the exact reason I never hang out with chimps!

Wild animals should be left in the wild. They do not belong among humans. I understand that the crazy owner once had the chimp in her car once when it escaped. That was a receipe for disaster. What if it had gotten a child. The owner should be charged with criminal negligence. She should do jail time for putting her friend and others in danger. It's just like waving around a loaded gun in public and having it go off and shooting someone in the head. She would be arrested, and I believe she should be arrested now. I think the owner is off her rocker to begin with, keeping a chimp and taking it out in public. she should be behind bars. There has to be a law to stop people from keeping wild animals as domestic pets.

Hey Rae,

your an idiot. The Stamford police had no other choice but to fire at the animal. People die untimely and sometimes unjustly every day, and your upset about a chimp - gmafb. And who are you to call Matt a dumbass? psycho!

A chimp is a creature that can make war on its own kind is so much more powerful than any human.
This creature is a meat eater that can pull your
arms off and beat you with it and then eat you.
When they get older ,this is how they differ from
humans they get meaner and can back that meaness
up.People have tried this ape domestication for years and it never works.

OMG! Everyone talking smack but can anyone spell??? Makes me think that the animals are smarter than we are. Sheesh!!

It already happened so all the "she should've, would'ves " arent relevant right now. It just teached a lesson to other people that might be considering getting a wild animal as a pet. The woman who owned the chimp needs to pay the consequences of her mistake and owning a wild animal should be illegal.

Danielle, did you really read mine as serious? What a laugh. Evidently you don't understand what "tongue in cheek" means.

WOW, WHO TO BLAME?!

*WHO took the Chimp out of it's natural habitat?

*WHO decided to make an Old Navy commercial using a real monkey (and it's other work assignments)

*WHO decided once they were finished with the animal not try to return it to a safe place to live and be looked after?

* WHO hasn't created a Law to keep wild animals out of the homes of everyday people who have no training in the species they're taking in.

*WHO watched too much T.V and thought a Chimpanzee could live as a human and when it didn't was rewarded with being stabbed with a knife,hit with a pot then sprayed with bullets?

The owner shouldn't have even been given the opportunity to house the poor creature and these other businesses should have made responsible for it's well being....
there's a lot of blame to had...

To those stating opinion as fact, stop that. It only makes you look ignorant. Best wishes for the victims and their families. Sorry the chimp had to die for being a chimp, and it is unfortunate the neighbor believed she just HAD to have a chimp for whatever reason she invented/rationalized in her not-so-large brain. Get a date, not a chimp, lady.

stupid monkey

humans not much better off. poor lady

pam jones u will burn in hell repent athiest swine

who cares if a chimp dies

Anonymous, learn how to spell "atheist" before you tell Pam Jones she is going to hell. I love how Bible-thumpers believe they can tell when someone is going to hell, when it says in the Bible that only God may judge man. Seems contradictory to the very thing they claim to believe. Pam isn't off the hook here...claiming evolution is fact (which I agree) does not mean God does not exist. There is room for both. You can believe in God without believing everything (or anything, for that matter) written in the Bible.

A final note:
U R @77 GGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!

"...claiming evolution is fact (which I agree) does not mean God does not exist. There is room for both. You can believe in God without believing everything (or anything, for that matter) written in the Bible."

I'm sorry sir, that is incorrect.

Katie80 get bent "I'm sorry sir, that is incorrect" you sound like a stupid doosh

you stupid animal lovers get a clue i will execute 5000 cute bunnies one million rolly puppies and all of you peta doosh bags before i let one decrepit bum on the side of I-5 starve or sleep in the cold i hate all of you animal lovers
by giving animals rights you put them at the same level of humans which they are not, so get bent
i love humans and could care less about your stupid pets. you hithering biches

I have a respect and admiration for all living things.
I am absolutely shocked and extremely disappointed by some of the comments; a few actually made me sick and then angry.
What kind of human being could make cruel and insensitive remarks about a person who was brutally disfigured for trying to help a friend who could not control an animal??
I feel offended as a member of the human race that I have to be included with certain persons
who have a higher regard for animals than they do people;especially in this case.
I am certainly opposed to any form of animal cruelty, but there is a sensible and intelligent place where we must draw the line.
The person who writes under the name "Erin"; I find your comments despicable and disgraceful.it's a good thing you can hide behind your computer screen.I'm not sure if I should feel sorry for you
or not. My impression of you holds no more regard than I have for a small insect.(I'm picturing a fire-ant , but even they only attack instinctively.)You however, come across as an under-developed,emotionally twisted soul.A pitiful excuse for a human being.
I wonder what you would have written if your own mother,sibling or friend would have suffered the same fate as Charla Nash? I feel secure in the belief that there are only a handful of others like yourself in the entire human race.If it were the other way around the human race would vanish in less than a lifetime.You are an embarrassment to our kind.If I were given the opportunity, I may have considered letting you take Travis' place but then again why waste good ammunition?