The owner of a macaque monkey named Carter, who escaped from his caretaker's car back in March, appeared in court today. Carter's owner officially surrendered her ownership rights of the monkey to Animal Care and Control in exchange for having all charges against her dropped.
The good news for Carter is that he will be transferred to a primate sanctuary through the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance. The transfer date is yet to be set.
On March 25, Carter fled his owner's vehicle in the Carolina Medical Center parking lot in the University area. An employee attempted to catch Carter, but got bit in the process. The search continued the following day when he was once again spotted in the same parking lot.
The Carolina Medical Center Security team was able to corner the monkey under a vehicle until an Animal Control Officer arrived. He was transported to AC&C where he was quarantined. Carter cleared his quarantine period back in April.
To be clear, it is illegal to own a monkey in Mecklenburg County. Still, we couldn't resist posting these pictures that CMPD sent along.
