A recent ruling by Maryland?s second highest court means Frisky?s Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary in Howard County must get rid of its monkeys, a lawyer involved in the case said.
“Any of the animals that [Frisky?s manager Colleen Layton] keeps that are classified as wild and exotic, including the primates, cannot be kept by her,” said Thomas Meachum, an attorney who represents neighbors of Frisky?s opposed to the animals. “She can?t keep those there because of the board of appeals said she couldn?t.”
Frisky?s, a nonprofit organization, has operated a wildlife refuge and sanctuary in Howard County since 1976 and been at its current Woodstock location since 1993, where Layton and volunteers take care of some 200 animals at any time, including about 30 monkeys.
Neighbors who live near the sanctuary object to the sanctuary?s existence and have tried to shut it down, because they believe its monkeys could case health concerns for people.
The Howard County Board of Appeals ruled in 2004 that Frisky?s could remain open but had to get rid of its monkeys because they violate a county ban on exotic animals. That decision was upheld Oct. 2 by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
“They?re not upset about the idea that she takes care of injured animals,” Meachum said of the neighbors? concerns. “They?re upset because the primates present a significant health risk to the public because they carry diseases.”
Fred Lauer, an attorney for Frisky?s, said he and his clients are still reading over the 50-page Court of Special Appeals decision and deciding how to respond. He said he remains puzzled by neighbors? opposition to the animals.
“It?s a phobia from one or two neighbors,” Lauer said.
Lauer said the managers at Frisky?s are providing a valuable service by helping injured and wounded animals. The county?s police department often sends sick or injured animals there, and students from area high schools visit Frisky?s to learn about wildlife.
Layton said she gets “frustrated” with neighbors? objections and the ongoing legal battle.
“No one has ever been harmed by the monkeys. We?ve never had any problem,” she said.
Lauer said Layton has never gone out seeking monkeys, but that the primates were brought to her by people in need.
“Frisky?s didn?t go out soliciting these monkeys,” Lauer said. “They?re monkeys that people brought to them for adoption. These monkeys dont have any other place to go.”
