IRVING, Texas — A monkey confiscated by police from a Dallas influencer following a car crash is officially back with his owner, according to Irving officials. Now, a federal agency is attempting to take the monkey again, according to the influencer's lawyers.
The spider monkey, named Jorgie Boy, was returned to his owner, Brandi Botello, on Tuesday after spending nearly a month at Funky Monkey Ranch, a Collin County animal rescue that houses five spider monkeys.
In a statement from Wyde & Associates, the attorneys representing Botello, on Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now attempting to take Jorgie Boy.
In the statement, the attorneys claim Botello was contacted by a special agent with the agency, demanding she surrender Jorgie Boy. Botello's attorneys also claim that the special agency is pursuing a seizure warrant for the spider monkey if she does not give him up.
"The situation with Jorgie Boy echoes the recent tragic case of Peanut the squirrel, a beloved pet needlessly euthanized by authorities in a similarly ludicrous overreach that triggered nationwide disgust," Botello's attorneys stated. "The parallels between Peanut’s case and Jorgie Boy’s plight are striking—a glaring reminder of an out-of-control federal criminal system prioritizing the power of a handful of bureaucrats and appointed people, over common sense and decency."
WFAA has reached out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but a spokesperson for the agency said they did not have a comment at this time.
Dallas police originally confiscated Jorgie Boy after Botello was involved in a single-vehicle crash at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday in the 9900 block of Harry Hines Blvd.
According to Funky Monkey Ranch, the nearly three-year-old monkey has medical issues and showed signs of neglect. The sanctuary said Jorgie Boy had metabolic bone disease, and X-rays showed tiny fractures after the monkey was taken to a vet. The sanctuary also said the monkey appeared to lack proper nutrition. Police said they suspected Botello of driving while intoxicated.
In an Instagram post by Botello, she can be seen embracing Jorgie Boy and crying as he was returned to her on Tuesday.
"God is good! He knows my heart is pure... Christmas came early for me I couldn’t ask for anything else," Botello wrote in the Instagram post. "JorgieBoy is my world and I’ll do ANYTHING for him!"
The City of Irving released the following statement on the return:
"Today, the City of Irving secured the return of the spider monkey, Jorgie Boy, to his owner, Brandi Botello in Dallas. The City wishes to thank Dwan Johns of the Funky Monkey Ranch for taking care of Jorgie Boy these past few weeks at the request of Irving Animal Services, and for her dedication and commitment not only to Jorgie Boy, but to protecting animals in need. The City extends its gratitude to all parties involved for their cooperation in achieving an amicable resolution to this matter."
It’s legal to own some exotic pets, including monkeys, in Texas, but permits are required. However, Irving prohibits owning or selling wild animals, and Irving police told WFAA residents aren’t allowed to have primates.
