Statement: Tragic Death of Child Attacked by “Pet” Monkey
Please see the following statement from the President of PETA Asia, Jason Baker, regarding the death of a 6-year-old boy who died after being attacked by a monkey his grandfather kept as a “pet”.
This tragedy shows why wild animals should never be kept as “pets”. Macaques are strong, intelligent, and unpredictable animals whose complex physical, social, and psychological needs cannot be met in a human home.
Across Thailand, macaques are exploited in a number of ways, including being kept as “pets”, used in tourist attractions, and forced to work in the coconut industry. In every case, these animals are denied the freedom to live natural lives and are subjected to confinement, isolation, and stress.
When wild animals are taken from their natural habitats for human companionship or profit, both people and animals suffer. The only way to prevent tragedies like this is to stop treating wild animals as commodities. PETA urges the government to prohibit the private ownership of monkeys and other wild animals and strengthen protections that keep wildlife in their natural homes.
