Owner Can Visit Armani the Monkey

August 9, 2007 - 5:32pm

ROCKVILLE, Md. - A Montgomery County judge says a Rockville woman facing charges of illegally owning a monkey should be allowed to visit the animal before her trial.

Montgomery Circuit Judge Terrence McGann told the county attorney's office Wednesday to help arrange a time for 42-year-old Elyse Gazewitz to visit the monkey, named Armani.

Armani has been at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont since authorities seized him in May. County officials say he was illegal under laws protecting the public from wild animals. Gazewitz goes on trial August 21st on six civil charges related to Armani and other animals she owns.

Gazewitz' attorney says the woman hasn't been allowed to visit Armani at the zoo, even though she's been ordered to pay $1,300 a month in boarding fees.

So far Gazewitz has paid more than $4,000 to keep him there.

ROCKVILLE, Md. - A Montgomery County judge says a Rockville woman facing charges of illegally owning a monkey should be allowed to visit the animal before her trial.

Montgomery Circuit Judge Terrence McGann told the county attorney's office Wednesday to help arrange a time for 42-year-old Elyse Gazewitz to visit the monkey, named Armani.

Gazewitz' attorney says the woman hasn't been allowed to visit Armani at the zoo, even though she's been ordered to pay $1,300 a month in boarding fees.

So far Gazewitz has paid more than $4,000 to keep him there.

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