Monkey Found after Hunt in PA, Taken from Owner to Wildlife Sanctuary
By: NBC News
Updated: March 19, 2012
Police in Ashley, Pennsylvania were on both a manhunt and a monkey-hunt Monday morning.
The crazy scene kicked off around 3AM when Ashley Police tried to arrest Jeffrey Arnott, Jr.
They say the younger Arnott was out riding around on a stolen ATV, with Tyler-- his father's pet monkey-- in tow.
Police say when Jeffrey took off on the ATV, the monkey jumped off and ran in another direction, and the chase for both of them was on.
After about four hours of searching, Tyler the monkey was spotted perched on a front porch.
The monkey's owner-- Jeffrey Arnott, Sr.-- arrived just as game commission officers and police did.
After several tense minutes, he was able to snag his pet of 15 years.
But the story doesn't end there.
"These things are a health and safety issue. They carry a lot of diseases. They can be nasty and aggressive toward humans. They have sharp teeth in their mouth," Wildlife Conservation Officer Gerald Kapral explained.
It is against the law for the average person to possess a monkey as a pet in Pennsylvania.
Tyler will be taken by the game commission to a licensed wildlife sanctuary in Snyder County.
The elder Arnott says he had been hesitantly preparing to give Tyler up anyway.
He added, "I acquired him through my ex-wife. She didn't want him after he was a baby anymore, because he was work-- a lot of work."
Jeffrey Arnott, Sr. says he was told he'll likely face a fine for possessing Tyler illegally.
Ashley Police picked up his son shortly after the monkey business ended.
At this point it's unclear what charges he will face.
The crazy scene kicked off around 3AM when Ashley Police tried to arrest Jeffrey Arnott, Jr.
They say the younger Arnott was out riding around on a stolen ATV, with Tyler-- his father's pet monkey-- in tow.
Police say when Jeffrey took off on the ATV, the monkey jumped off and ran in another direction, and the chase for both of them was on.
After about four hours of searching, Tyler the monkey was spotted perched on a front porch.
The monkey's owner-- Jeffrey Arnott, Sr.-- arrived just as game commission officers and police did.
After several tense minutes, he was able to snag his pet of 15 years.
But the story doesn't end there.
"These things are a health and safety issue. They carry a lot of diseases. They can be nasty and aggressive toward humans. They have sharp teeth in their mouth," Wildlife Conservation Officer Gerald Kapral explained.
It is against the law for the average person to possess a monkey as a pet in Pennsylvania.
Tyler will be taken by the game commission to a licensed wildlife sanctuary in Snyder County.
The elder Arnott says he had been hesitantly preparing to give Tyler up anyway.
He added, "I acquired him through my ex-wife. She didn't want him after he was a baby anymore, because he was work-- a lot of work."
Jeffrey Arnott, Sr. says he was told he'll likely face a fine for possessing Tyler illegally.
Ashley Police picked up his son shortly after the monkey business ended.
At this point it's unclear what charges he will face.
