When Missouri police officers were called to capture a monkey wearing a pink tutu on the loose, they probably didn’t expect the incident to make headlines.
But it did.
The unusual event unfolded recently, shining a spotlight on the challenges of keeping exotic animals as pets and the potential risks involved.
The monkey, thankfully, was unharmed and safely returned to its owner, but questions remain about animal welfare and public safety.
A History of Animal Escapades in Missouri
Missouri has seen its fair share of unusual animal incidents over the years.
In 2019, a zebra escaped from a private farm, wandering through a rural neighborhood before being recaptured. Back in 2015, a tiger briefly roamed the streets of Kansas City after escaping from a roadside zoo.
These cases highlight a recurring issue. The risks and unpredictability of owning exotic animals.
The pink-tutu-wearing monkey fits right into this pattern of escaped animals making headlines.
Such incidents often amuse the public. But they also raise serious concerns about safety and ethics.