LANSING, Mich. (AP) - New legislation in Lansing would ban private ownership of monkeys, apes and lemurs.
Sen. Rick Jones said this week that the average person doesn't have the necessary training or equipment to properly care for nonhuman primates. The Grand Ledge Republican's bill would apply going forward and allow current owners to keep their pets.
Jones cites a 2009 incident when a Connecticut woman was mauled and disfigured by her chimpanzee.
He says apes aren't companion animals and have no place in private residences. Jones also says diseases such as monkey pox and measles can be more easily transferred between humans and the animals.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee.
