Pet monkey put down after mistreatment by owners left it unable to climb

An exotic pet monkey living in Wales had to be put down after animal rescuers found it suffering from a bone disease following months of mistreatment by her owners.

Precious, an 18-month-old marmoset, was seen “screaming and rolling around in a chaotic and unpredictable manner” when RSPCA officers searched the home of owners Jonathan Phillips, 54, and Laura Pittman, 52, a court heard.

The RSPCA said Precious was given no vitamin supplements or UV light, which maintain bone health, and fed a variety of ordinary household food including yoghurt and dried fruit.

The breed is meant to be fed “marmoset chow”, a commercially prepared diet, along with fresh fruit, vegetables and live insects, Merthyr Tydfil magistrates’ court was told.

A vet report said Precious was “dragging herself” and was “unable to climb or leap” and must have been lame for several weeks.

It was kept alone in their house in Ferndale, Rhondda, despite the species “having complex social needs”.

Phillips and Pittman admitted two Animal Welfare Act offences. They were each fined £350 and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

Phillips was also ordered to pay £966.71 costs and Pittman £965.21, while the couple were also banned from owning animals for 10 years.

‘Wrong diet’

Speaking after sentencing, Gemma Cooper, an RSPCA inspector, said: “This is a really sad story of a people buying an exotic animal on a whim and not knowing how to meet their needs.

“In their interview the defendants admitted they had not carried out any research before buying her and had been feeding her the wrong diet.”

‘Heartbreaking case’

Dr Ros Clubb, the RSPCA’s head of wildlife, added: “This is a heartbreaking case and Precious will undoubtedly have suffered horribly.

“Sadly we fear there are many more marmosets like Precious suffering behind closed doors because people do not know how to look after these animals properly and, as well as causing suffering to the animals, the owners risk falling foul of the law.

“That is why we, and other charities, are so concerned about the situation and wish to see the keeping and trade of primates as pets come to an end.

“Because of the specific needs of these animals their level of suffering can be extreme.

“As well as dietary and environmental needs, primates are highly social animals and they have extremely complex behavioural and social needs – but sadly in many cases they are being kept alone.

“They are wild animals that do not belong in people’s homes.”