Charla Nash was the victim of a vicious attack by a friend's 15-year old 200-lb. pet chimpanzee, Travis, on February 16, 2009, in Stamford, Connecticut. Travis' owner, 70-year-old Sandra Herold, called 911, frantically begging the police to shoot her pet, telling the 911 operator that Travis was ripping her friend apart and "eating" her. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29227155/
On November 11, 2009 Nash appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and revealed her disfigured face. It was her first interview revealing her face since the attack. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/11/videochimp-attack-victim-shows-her-ravaged-face-on-oprah.html
Cleveland Clinic
Nash was transferred to Cleveland Clinic following the vicious attack. The hospital performed the first facial transplant in the United States in August 2008. Nash's face was severely disfigured in the chimpanzee attack. In April 2009, Nash's doctors were planning the first phases of reconstructive surgery.Cleveland News: Chimp Attack Victim Blind in Both Eyes (April 7, 2009)
911 Call
On February 17, 2009, the day following the attack, the 911 call of a frantic Sandra Herold was released to the public. Travis the Chimp can be heard shrieking and grunting in the background as Herold describes the attack and the injuries to Charla Nash. Herold describes that the chimp had "ripped" her girlfriend's face off and ripped her apart. Herold also tells the operator that she had stabbed her pet, but it made him worse. She is heard begging police to shoot Travis.
Captive Primate Safety Act
Congress passed the Captive Primate Safety Act on February 24, 2009, with a vote of 323-95. The bill aims to make it illegal to transport pet chimpanzees and other primates.Los Angeles Times: House votes to approve Captive Primate Safety Act after chimp attack
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References
Fast Facts
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Lost her hands, nose, lips, eyelids and the bone structure of her face as result of attackFOXNews.com: Chimpanzee Victim May Be Blind, Brain Damaged
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Age at time of attack
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Attack was allegedly unprovoked
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After start of attack, Herold attempted to stab Travis with butcher's knife and hit with shovelMSNBC: "You Have to Kill This Chimp," Owner Cries to 911
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On February 19, 2009, Nash was flown to and received treatment at the Cleveland clinic, the clinic doctors performed the United States' first facial transplantCNN: Chimp attack victim moved to Cleveland Clinic (February 19, 2009)
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Her brother, Michael Nash, was appointed her conservator to make decisions regarding his sister's medical treatment and legal actionPhilly.com: Chimp victim's family readies for possible lawsuit (February 24, 2009)
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Nash appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and revealed her disfigured face on November 11, 2009
