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• Travis the Chimp was a highly trained 15-year-old pet chimpanzee that attacked a woman visiting his owner on February 16, 2009. The visitor, 55-year-old Charla Nash, sustained serious cuts to her face and hands, and police were eventually forced to shoot and kill the animal. Travis was owned by Sandra Herold of Stamford, Connecticut.WPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009) New York Post: Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009)

  On May 14, 2009, the New York Post reported that Travis had the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in his system. Prosecutors claim it has not been determined yet if the drug played any role in the attack. Charges against his owner have not been filed yet.NYP: Maul ape doped up on Xanax (May 14, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Owned by Sandra HeroldWPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009)
  2. Lived in Stamford, ConnecticutWPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009)
  3. Weighed 200 poundsFOXNews.com: 911 Call Released in Horrific Chimpanzee Attack (February 18, 2009)
  4. Was given Xanax the morning of the attack, according to initial reports The New York Times: Woman Mauled by Chimp Is Still in Critical Condition (February 19, 2009)
  5. Owner denied giving chimp the drugChron.com: Owner now says she never gave slain chimp Xanax
  6. Was 15 years old at time of attackWPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009)
  7. Appeared in television commercials for Old Navy and Coca ColaWPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009)
  8. Was toilet trained, dressed himself and could log on to a computerWPIX: Police Shoot, Kill Chimpanzee After Bizarre Attack (February 16, 2009)
  9. Had escaped early in 2003, although no one was hurt in that incident
  10. Owner faces possible criminal chargesFox News: Connecticut Chimp Victim Is Speaking, Responding to...Commands (March 31, 2009)

• The Victim

  Attack victim Charla Nash is hospitalized and in critical but stable condition as of March 31, 2009. She is also under heavy sedation. She lost her hands, nose, lips and eyelids in the attack. She is being tested to evaluate if she suffers from any brain damage. Her family has sued Herold, seeking $50 million in damages.Fox News: Connecticut Chimp Victim Is Speaking, Responding to...Commands (March 31, 2009)

• The Attack

  On February 16, 2009, Sandra Herold was at home with her chimpanzee Travis when he suddenly attacked a visitor. Herold called 911 and tried to stop the attack by stabbing at the chimp with a butcher knife. When police arrived, the chimp revived and attempted to open the door of one of the police cruisers whereupon police shot and killed him. Herold had a heart attack; both women were hospitalized.Republican American: Police: Pet chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009) WSTC/WNLK: Chimpanzee Attack sends 2 Women to Hospital in Stamford (February 16, 2009)

  On February 18, 2009, Police released the audio of the 911 call Herold made at the time of the attack. Herold can be heard pleading with the dispatcher to send help and begged for Travis to be shot.FOXNews.com: 911 Call Released in Horrific Chimpanzee Attack (February 18, 2009)

• Prior Escape

  Travis was popular in the neighborhood, where he was known to ride around in the working vehicles owned by his owners, Desire Me Motors.Republican American: Police: Pet chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009) New York Post: Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009)An earlier incident occurred in October of 2003 when Travis escaped from his owners and held police at bay for several hours; no one was injured at that time.New York Daily News: Police: Pet chimpanzee, Travis, attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009) New York Post: Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009)

• Treated Like a Human

  Travis was treated much like a human by his owners. He drank wine from a stemmed glass, ate at the table, watered the plants, wore a diaper, took a bath on his own, used a Waterpik to clean his teeth, and watched baseball on television.New York Daily News: Police: Pet chimpanzee, Travis, attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009) New York Post: Chimpanzee attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009) Travis's television career included TV commercials for Coca-Cola and Old Navy and an appearance on the Maury Povich Show.New York Daily News: Police: Pet chimpanzee, Travis, attacks woman in Stamford (February 16, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Chimpanzee | Charla Nash | Xanax | Chimp Segway | Pankun and James | Curious George | Chimp Beats College Kids | Baboon | Gorillas | Moe the Chimp

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