Who is Really to Blame for the Chimp Attack?

Just in case you have not heard, earlier this week in Connecticut a domesticated chimpanzee attacked and mauled a 55 year old woman.  Charla Nash remains in critical condition at Stamford Hospital for massive injuries to her hands and face.  Obviously, all of our thoughts and prayers go out to Nash and her family for a full and speedy recovery.

Still, I ask, who is to blame for this entire mess.  Some blame the victim’s new haircut as confusing the chimp and provoking the attack.  Others blame the owner of the chimp,  Sandra Herold, is at fault for having a pet chimp in the first place.  True.  But I would argue that she is not the primary culprit in this case.

So who is to blame for this tragedy.  ELMO.  Yes, Elmo from Sesame Street.  What the hell am I talking about?  Consider the following excerpt from an A.P. article:

“Herold speculated that Travis was being protective of her when he attacked Nash, who she said was driving a different car, wearing a new hairstyle and holding an Elmo stuffed toy in front of her face as a present to the chimp.” This quote is NOT made up!! Google “chimp attack and Elmo” and you will read the hundred of articles that picked up the A.P. story.

Fox News has recently learned that Elmo and Travis the Chimp had a history of bad feelings.  In fact, in a 2005 interview, Travis alleged that Elmo had been abusing and tickling him for a 3 year period from 2001-2004.  Although the charges were eventually dropped, Travis subsequently went through 2 years of counseling sessions and shock therapy.  No wonder Travis became distraught when the victim stuck an Elmo doll in his face.

Of course, this is not the first time that Elmo has been in trouble with the law for animal abuse.  Back in 2007, It was rumored that Elmo was one of Michael Vick’s co-defendants that rolled over on him and cooperated with investigators.  In addition, in 1999, during an interview with Geraldo Rivera, Cookie Monster stated that he thought that Elmo was “kinda of weird guy” and that he once caught Elmo “fondling my animal crackers.”  Cookie Monster stated that he did not pursue the matter further because he really does not like animal crackers that much, but instead enjoys cookies.