New HBO Series Featuring Pendleton Chimpanzee Sparks Push to Ban Primates as ‘Pets’

For Immediate Release:
September 3, 2024

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Pendleton, Ore. –

The maker of Tiger King is back with a twisted tale that’s simply bananas. Chimp Crazy—director Eric Goode’s new four-part HBO docuseries—highlights the story of Buck, a “pet” chimpanzee who attacked and injured the daughter of his owner after she ignored PETA’s calls to arrange for his surrender to an accredited sanctuary. PETA Foundation General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet—who appears in Chimp Crazy and worked on Tonka’s case—is available for interviews.

Peet could share behind-the-scenes details and talk about PETA’s support of the new bipartisan Captive Primate Safety Act. The proposed legislation, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.-03) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-01), would prohibit private ownership, private breeding, and all commercial activity involving primates used in the pet trade.

Buck, prior to his death, eats while sitting on a bed. Photo obtained by PETA via a public records request.

“Chimp Crazy shows how exploiting highly intelligent and complex apes and monkeys as ‘pets’ and props is not only cruel but also extremely dangerous,” says Peet. “PETA encourages everyone who was moved by the tragic stories featured in Chimp Crazy to contact their legislators and urge them to cosponsor the Captive Primate Safety Act.”

PETA notes that chimpanzees kept as “pets” are often bred in captivity by unscrupulous dealers, torn away from their mothers prematurely, sold to anyone with enough cash, denied any chance at a natural life, and forced to do whatever their owner chooses. Thanks to PETA’s campaigns, chimpanzees are no longer used in films, and the group is working to ensure that no more great apes will be exploited by roadside zoos or the pet trade.

The Captive Primate Safety Act is cosponsored in the House by Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.-01) and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02). It was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and is cosponsored by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.