PETA Calls For Dez Bryant To Turn Over Pet Monkey
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Last week, Dez Bryant posted a picture on Instagram showing his new pet, a baby Capuchin monkey. Along with the picture he wrote, "My new best friend.... Dallas Bryant world #throwupthex"
The picture received more than 50,000 likes, but People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals are not a fan of the photo.
PETA is calling for Bryant to turn the monkey over to a sanctuary that can properly care for it. The group is also pointing out that private individuals like Bryant are not eligible for the special use permit that would allow him to legally keep the monkey.
"Monkeys belong in the wild—not in the hands of football players who acquire exotic animals just to make a splash on Instagram," says PETA Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. "This baby capuchin was torn away from his mother shortly after birth and needs special care that can now only be provided by wildlife experts who will be able to ensure that he gets the love and attention he deserves."
PETA has reached out to officials in DeSoto, where Dez Bryant lives, to help remove the monkey from Bryant's custody and says it has already secured a space at an accredited sanctuary for Bryant's monkey.
DeSoto Police say they've determined the Capuchin monkey in question is not physically within their city limits and they do not expect any further updates on the matter. Previously, police investigators were trying to find out where the monkey was located.
Despite the matter being closed in DeSoto, locals weren't shy about offering their opinions and joking about the issue.
Johnnie Alford said "He's got a Micahel Jackson syndrome...Michael had a monkey...he want a monkey that's all it is."
Bob Williamson also laughed at the situation commenting, "I've got a lot more to worry about than Dez Bryant and a Monkey...so do the Cowboys."