OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A woman was bitten multiple times inside a Home Depot by a pet Spider monkey after it escaped from its owner's car.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office was called to Home Depot on Monday around 1:53 p.m. in response to an animal complaint.
When deputies arrived on scene they spoke with the owner of the monkey. She told deputies that she left her pet Spider monkey in her truck while she went inside the store.
She informed deputies that the monkey was on a leash, but managed to get out of the vehicle.
According to the police report, the monkey attacked the victim before the owner was able to gain control of the monkey.
While talking with deputies, the victim said she was in the break area outside of the Home Depot when she heard her coworker yelling about a monkey and originally thought it was a joke.
The victim told deputies she suddenly saw the monkey walking down the parking lot towards her and noticed it had a leash.
She explained to deputies that she got a hold of the leash and the monkey climbed on her back, biting her on the back twice.
The police report states the victim then walked the monkey to the front of the store to see if she could find the owner. She said when the sliding glass door of the store opened, the monkey got scared, biting her on the arm and hand.
Deputies say the monkey was able to scratch the victim on the face as well.
The victim refused medical attention, but said she would go to the hospital herself to be medically evaluated for her injuries.
Animal Control and Florida Wild Life Conservation were contacted and the case has been transferred over to them.
Deputies say there is no further information at this time.
