CEBU CITY – “Brad Pitt” has been turned over to authorities after he attacked a 62-year-old man in Minglanilla town, southern Cebu recently.
'BRAD Pitt,' a namesake of the American actor, is locked up after attacking its owner. (MyTV Cebu)
Brad Pitt, a male Philippine long-tailed macaque and namesake of the popular American actor, attacked Roberto Caday, who had been keeping the monkey as a pet in his home in Minglanilla.
Because of the incident, Brad Pitt was turned over to the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Department of Natural Resources-Central Visayas (DENR-7) for safekeeping.
The monkey escaped from his cage and attacked Caday, who was bitten in different parts of his body.
Carlo Babiera, DENR-7 Wildlife and Rescue Center in-charge, said it is prohibited to keep Philippine long-tailed macaque as it is considered a wildlife species.
“There is a tendency that it will attack a person especially if it gets provoked. If the enclosure is not secured, it can really hurt someone,” said Babiera.
Babiera said it is not only dangerous to keep wildlife animals as pets but it is also against the law.
Those who will be caught keeping wildlife animals could be charged for violation of Republic Act 9147 or an Act Providing for the Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources and their habitats.
“You have to have necessary permits if you are keeping wildlife animals. A person can be fined or imprisoned if caught violating such law,” said Babiera.