The U.S. Division of Agriculture has formally terminated unique animal supplier Jim Hammonds’ Animal Welfare Act license, in accordance with PETA.
The animal rights group beforehand submitted a grievance to the USDA about Florida-based Hammonds, a.ok.a. “The Monkey Whisperer,” itemizing his convictions together with felony conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking and three counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.
Hammonds, who’s finest recognized for promoting a capuchin monkey to Chris Brown, is blocked from legally promoting primates for the pet commerce for no less than a 12 months. “Unique animals will not be pets, playthings, or props for celebrities, and so they’re not enterprise transactions both,” stated PETA Basis Director of Captive Animal Regulation Enforcement Michelle Sinnott in a press assertion. “PETA is celebrating the USDA’s resolution to strip this felon of a license earlier than he may exploit extra weak animals.”
In March 2022, Hammonds pleaded responsible to wildlife trafficking costs, with courtroom paperwork claiming that the breeder illegally offered the singer the capuchin monkey again in 2017 for a complete of $12,650. Prosecutors additional alleged that Hammonds carried out the sale in Nevada to make it seem {that a} resident of the state had bought the primate, since possessing one as a pet is prohibited in Brown’s residence state of California. In June, Hammonds was sentenced to 5 years probation and greater than $90,000 in fines for violating federal wildlife legal guidelines.
Brown was compelled to show the capuchin over in 2017. Brown confronted misdemeanor costs however was not named within the federal case towards Hammond.
