SALEM, Ore. -- The monkey that attacked a six year old girl in Salem’s Riverfront Park Saturday is a service companion animal. Background Monkey attack


The owner of the monkey is 53 year old Salem resident, Warren Scott Welke. In an interview Wednesday, his father, Richard Welke, told KGW that his son has a Parkinson’s-like condition that causes his hands to shake.


“Why he got this monkey is because he couldn’t do a lot of things anymore on his own,” said Richard Welke.


Last year, Welke got the monkey from the Boston-Based non-profit, “ Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled.”

Helping Hands trains Capuchin monkeys to provide companionship and assistance for people with disabilities.


Police say, Saturday, Welke and his mother took the monkey to Riverfront Park to meet a relative. The monkey was on a leash and sitting calmly.


Police say several children were curious about the monkey. Welke told them to stay away but Serena didn’t listen.


“We have independent witnesses telling us that he was telling kids to stay back,” said Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier. “Curiosity got the kids and they got up close and the incident happened.”


The monkey lunged at Serena and scratched her face with its fingernails, leaving two puncture wounds.


Welke did break one rule. According to Helping Hands, he was not supposed to have the monkey in public.


A representative from Helping Hands transported the monkey back to Boston Wednesday, where it will be quarantined for three to six months.


Welke is not facing any charges.

Where Were the Parents of these Kids? No Doubt Standing their Grinning watching the Kids and the Playful Monkey.

another case of kids not listening causing harm to another person and animal

although he may or amy not have been permitted to have the animal in public


pure case of not teaching children respect for others nor themselves

she is lucky she was not more severely injured

actually its ileagle to have a monkey. so i dont know how this non profit organization was able to get away with this.
it was posted on craigslist a few days ago and then they had it on the news

her parents were there. they took her to the hospitol.

even so it does not change the fact that the child was disrespectful when not refraining from approaching the animal whether legal or not


Oregon Exotic Animal Permit

Oregon law requires the owners of exotic animals (which includes wolves and wolf crosses, and other hybrid exotics) in Oregon to have a permit for each species of exotic they hold. One requirement of the law is that the animal must be kept secure. It cannot run at large. Fencing requirements and recommendations are detailed in the packet. You must also meet any requirements of the city or county in which you live.


http://www.monkeymaddness.com/laws/or.htm

Everything is more fun with a monkey!

I Like to Spank My Monkey