Chimp shot and killed after escape

GALLATIN, Mo., April 2 (UPI) -- A 9-year-old male chimp that escaped from its owner was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy near Winston, Mo., when the animal turned violent, police say.

The Daviess County sheriff's office said the unidentified deputy was forced to shoot the animal after the chimp opened a door to the officer's patrol car and attempted to hit the deputy, the St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch said Thursday.

Following Monday's fatal shooting of the animal, authorities searched the area home from where the animal had escaped.

Authorities alleged they found found three monkeys and 200 dogs inside the home. Many of the animals apparently then fled the home as an ensuing search by the Humane Society of Missouri uncovered only two cats and 15 dogs.

The state group did confirm that the Missouri Department of Agriculture has since recaptured the three monkeys, while a reward has been issued for the capture of the rest of the missing animals.

The Post-Dispatch said three people have been arrested and charged.