Help Monkeys In Milton GA!

Courtey Peta.org

This coming Tuesday, January 22, the Milton Planning Commission (MPC) will consider whether to recommend that the City Council grant a permit to Dean Riopelle that would allow him to keep wild animals in Milton, Ga. Riopelle has capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, and DeBrazza's monkeys on his property, among other animals. Riopelle is now looking to acquire even more wild animals and open a roadside zoo, disregarding both public safety and the animals' well-being. We need your help to make sure that the MPC makes the correct decision and recommends that the City Council deny Riopelle's permit to keep any exotic animals in Milton!

Primates such as those residing on Riopelle's property in Milton—present serious public safety and health risks because they can become aggressive and transmit various diseases to humans. Capuchin monkeys, for instance, become dangerous and destructive when they reach sexual maturity, sometimes turning on humans. For example, in 2010, Babe Hamerick of Chesapeake, Virginia, was attacked by a capuchin monkey named Noah. Hamerick described the attack as worse than war, which he claimed was "a breeze compared to my little fight with [Noah, which] cut the vein, tore ligaments out of my wrists. I'm pumping blood all over." Within two weeks, Noah attacked Hamerick a second time, biting Hamerick's left hand and severing his pinky finger.

Please send a polite e-mail and/or call Robyn MacDonald, the staff contact of the MPC (robyn.macdonald@cityofmiltonga.us; 678-242-2540) and let her know that the MPC must recommend that the City Council deny Riopelle's permit for the sake of public safety and animal welfare. If you are a citizen of Milton, please be sure to indicate that in your correspondence.

Please feel free to use the sample e-mail at the end of this message, but remember that using your own words is always more effective.

You can also attend the MPC meeting and voice your support for the denial of Riopelle's permit during the public comment period. The MPC meeting is being held at 7 p.m. on January 22 at the following location:

City Council Chambers Milton City Hall 13000 Deerfield Pkwy., Ste. E Milton, GA 30004

Please pass this important, time-sensitive information on to your family and friends in Milton.

Thank you for your help and continued support of our efforts to protect animals!

Sincerely,

Delcianna Winders Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement PETA Foundation

Sample Note

Dear Commission Members,

I strongly urge you to recommend that Dean Riopelle's application for a permit to keep exotic animals on his property be denied. Not only does Milton house dangerous animals on his property now, he also apparently plans to acquire even more, in complete disregard of public safety.

Primates—such as those residing on Riopelle's property in Milton—present serious public safety and health risks because they can both become aggressive and transmit various diseases to humans. Capuchin monkeys, for example, can turn on humans when they reach sexual maturity and cause serious injuries. In fact, one capuchin monkey bit one of his keeper's fingers off, and another bit the thumb of a woman in Georgia, who had to receive care from a hand specialist for her injuries.

Please protect the safety of Milton residents by recommending the denial of Riopelle's application.

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This e-mail was sent by PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 USA.