Connecticut Decides Not To File Charges For Chimp Attack

After ten months of investigation, the state of Connecticut has decided to not charge the owner of a chimp that viciously attacked another woman.

Sandy Herold was the owner of Travis, a 200-pound chimpanzee who had no history of violence prior to the February 2009 incident. The pet, who was treated similar to a human child, mauled Herold's friend and employee, Charla Nash.

Despite the horrible outcomes of the event, which left Nash horrifically disfigured and blind, the state found that they had no basis for blaming Herold.

"The state did not perceive Travis [the chimpanzee] to be a public health risk prior to this incident occurring, Nash's attorney Robert Golger said a statement, reports ABC. "His attack on Charla Nash was not foreseeable to Sandy.

Connecticut attorney David Cohen further explained the decision by pointing to the fact that Herold had not acted recklessly on that day. The chimpanzee had never hurt anyone before, and Nash had interacted with the animal on multiple occasions.

Residents in Stamford, where the attack occurred, are torn over whether or not the decision was the right one.

As for Nash's family members, they "understand" the state's decision, according to their attorney. Nevertheless, they have decided to take matters into their own hands by filing a $50 million civil lawsuit against Herold. Furthermore, they want to sue the state for $150 million.

In response to this, Herold's attorney has argued that the case should be considered a worker's compensation matter, reports WCBS. Filing charges under this label would put a limit on how much Nash can demand in payment.

Following the incident, which took place on Feb. 16, 2009, Travis the chimpanzee was shot and killed by police.