Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Did Attack Chimp Have Lyme Disease?

http://www.examiner .com/x-3035- Everyday- People-Examiner~ y2009m2d16- Connecticut- police-shoot- famous-chimp

Connecticut police shoot famous chimp February 16, 11:32 PM It was reported by the Associated Press that a once famous chimpanzee was shot and killed today by a police officer.The chimp reportedly used to be in commercials, including ads for Coca-Cola and Old Navy. Apparently, the chimp attacked a woman who was visiting his owner. The 200-pound chimp caused the woman to end up in the hospital in "'very serious' condition.

"The 15-year-old chimp, Travis, reportedly attacked the woman when she got out of her car. It was seemingly unprovoked.The chimps owner, Sandra Herold wrestled with the chimp to make him leave her friend alone. She eventually ran inside and called 911. After that she retrieved a butcher knife from the kitchen and ran back outside. She stabbed her pet, Travis, several times to get him to stop attacking the victim.When police arrived, they had position themselves so that rescue workers could get to the victim who was injured critically.

While this was going on, Travis chased officers into their cars.It was when Travis opened one of the car doors and attempted to climb in that an officer shot him several times. He reportedly ran off after being shot. Following the blood trail he left behind, police found Travis in the living quarters of the house where he eventually died of his wounds.Herold and two officers were hurt in the ordeal, though the extent of their injuries was not reported.Herold said that Travis was on medication for Lyme Disease and wondered if that played a role in his attack.

The following link leads to an article by Dr. Robert Bransfield concerning the psychiatric manifestations of Lyme Disease
http://www.mentalhealthandillness.com/Articles/AggressionAndLymeDisease.htm

4 comments:

  1. Interesting article...but how does it relate to Lyme Disease?

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  2. a CNN commentator made a good point about the impossibility of ever truly domesticating a wild animal, no matter how much a person might want it to to be domesticated

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  3. I think Lyme can make anyone crazy. It made this athlete nuts. She almost went suicidal from Lyme. see http://www.beatlymedisease.com
    it's very interesting. I guess it effects everyone in one mental way or another.

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  4. While it is true that one can never be sure of wild animals or even domesticated animals....Lyme disease can cause rages...or in a milder form ....irritability. There are many neuropsychiatric manifestations of Lyme as it can affect the brain as it does in syphilis.

    It can probably never be proven as to whether or not the chimp's rage was due to lyme but the possibility should not be overlooked. The Lyme pandemic is being intentionally downplayed and overlooked which is why news reports can be twisted or slanted omiting or adding any info that is convenient for whomever has vested interests

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