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Owner Loses First Ruling Over Fate of Pet Monkey
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Benaroya said she expects ultimately to take Gazewitz's case to the Maryland Court of Appeals, arguing that Montgomery authorities improperly seized Armani after confusing state and county wild animal laws.
She said that Gazewitz was not charged under the state's criminal law and that authorities did not provide her 10 days' notice required under county law before impounding Armani.
"The county is very confused about the appropriate law in this situation," Benaroya said.
The hearing board agreed with the county that a 10-day notice was not required in Armani's case because his mere presence was illegal, not because he was considered dangerous.
Gazewitz, a pet groomer, must continue to pay $1,344 in monthly boarding fees for Armani while any appeal is pending, Benaroya said.
June Bellizzi, the Catoctin zoo's acting director, said Armani is being held in a quarantined area and is not on public display. She said he watches DVDs of colorful, animated movies such as "Madagascar" with other monkeys and interacts with her and another keeper.
"He's doing great," Bellizzi said. "He eats well. He watches movies. He chats."
Bellizzi said Armani is no longer wearing diapers or infant clothes.
Police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said Armani will not be euthanized. Even if Gazewitz loses her appeals, Baur said, Armani will remain in an animal sanctuary.
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