Pet monkey shot dead after biting girl

ALOR SETAR: A male monkey that bit a six-year-old girl, injuring her right calf, has been shot dead.

Kedah Wildlife and National Park Department director Moha­mad Hafid Rohani said the three-year-old monkey, of the Macaca Nemestrina species, was shot yesterday morning with the assistance of the villagers of Kampung Paya Mengkuang, Pendang.

“The monkey was believed to be a pet of one of the local residents. It had a neck collar affixed to a chain.

“We are still investigating the identity of the owner,” he said in a statement.

In the 5pm incident on June 19, Nur Syahadatul Fatehah Mohd Shahbudin was playing with her cousin and several friends when the macaque suddenly attacked her, biting her on the calf until the bone protruded.

Mohamad Hafid said the monkey was shot under Sections 55(1) and 55(3) of the Wildlife Con-ser­vation Act, which allows the public to capture or shoot dead an animal which is a danger to human life, but also requires them to report their actions to the department.

Failure to do so will result in a penalty. — Bernama