Owner of 'Armani' the Monkey Pleads Guilty

August 21, 2007 - 4:30pm

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A Rockville woman pled guilty Tuesday in a Silver Spring courtroom to multiple charges surrounding her pet monkey, Armani. But Elyse Gazewitz says she's happy.

Gazewitz says her plea was just a legal tactic to have her case heard by a higher court. She entered the plea in Montgomery County District Court but says the Circuit Court is better suited to hear more complex matters.

Prosecutors say Armani, the capuchin monkey seized from her home in May, was taken because he was born after a law went into effect banning the ownership of wild animals.

Gazewitz had referred to the monkey as her baby and dressed Armani in Huggies diapers -- with holes cut out for his tail. Prosecutors say they have plenty of evidence to convict Gazewitz.

But Gazewitz's attorney Anne Benaroya has said she expects the case to go to Maryland's highest court.

The judge suspended her $500 fine.

Gazewitz recently got to visit Armani at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont.

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A Rockville woman pled guilty Tuesday in a Silver Spring courtroom to multiple charges surrounding her pet monkey, Armani. But Elyse Gazewitz says she's happy.

Prosecutors say Armani, the capuchin monkey seized from her home in May, was taken because he was born after a law went into effect banning the ownership of wild animals.

Gazewitz had referred to the monkey as her baby and dressed Armani in Huggies diapers -- with holes cut out for his tail. Prosecutors say they have plenty of evidence to convict Gazewitz.

But Gazewitz's attorney Anne Benaroya has said she expects the case to go to Maryland's highest court.

The judge suspended her $500 fine.

Gazewitz recently got to visit Armani at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont.

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