Woman sues over monkey bans

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 21 (UPI) -- A Springfield, Mo., woman is suing county health officials, Wal-Mart and Cox Health Systems for refusing to accept her monkey as a service animal.

Debby Rose said in her suit, which seeks unspecified damages, that her 10-year-old bonnet macaque, Richard, has been banned from food establishments and booted from Wal-Mart due to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department's ruling that Richard does not qualify as a service animal, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reported Monday.

However, Rose claims she needs the monkey to control her social anxiety disorder, which she said can lead to debilitating panic attacks in public places.

Director of Health Kevin Gipson said in the 2006 ruling that Richard does not qualify as a service animal because he does not perform a physical function for Rose. He said the department had received numerous complaints about the primate from area businesses and customers.

The suit also names Cox Health Systems as a defendant after Rose was booted from a nursing class for bringing Richard with her.

The filing also claims Rose "has been denied access to medical treatment and the ability to visit relatives who are seeking medical treatment," when Richard accompanies her.