Report: Monkey allegedly bites child at Buc-ee's in Terrell

Police in Terrell, just east of Dallas, are looking for the owner of a monkey which allegedly bit a child at a Buc-ee's location in that city.

Click through to see the pros and cons of the biggest Buc-ee's locations across Texas... less Police in Terrell, just east of Dallas, are looking for the owner of a monkey which allegedly bit a child at a Buc-ee's location in that city.

Click through to see the pros and cons of the biggest Buc-ee's ... more Photo: Julio Cortez, Staff Photo: Julio Cortez, Staff Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Report: Monkey allegedly bites child at Buc-ee's in Terrell 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

It's been a summer of monkey bites in Texas.

Police in Terrell, just east of Dallas, are looking for the owner of a monkey which allegedly bit and scratched a child at a Buc-ee's location in that city.

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The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, July 21, according to KXAS-TV in Dallas. The child was trying to pet the monkey that the man brought into the store.

The bite wasn't terribly severe, according to Terrell police, but a surveillance photo was released of the man and the monkey. The hope is that he can be identified to make sure the animal's shot records are up to date. The photo isn't very clear and the exact breed of the monkey hasn't been specified.

ON THE LOOSE: Monkey reportedly attacks two in South Houston

A word to the wise: It's always best to ask its permission before petting or attempting to pet a monkey anytime and anywhere. They are wild animals.

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"We are not making any comments at this time as this is an active criminal investigation," said

Buc-ee's spokesman and general counsel Jeff Nadalo on Tuesday. He also reiterated that animals are not allowed in stores unless they are service animals.

Houstonian Robert Williams with Ms. Monkey's Emporium has three small capuchin monkeys that he travels around Texas with making appearances. He says that places like Buc-ee's are a recipe for disaster with the crowds.

"The problem is always on the animal they always blame the animal even if you violated their space," Williams says. "All the monkey groups are up in arms and reposting this but no one knows or is saying who he is."

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Williams thinks that the monkey in the surveillance photo might be a younger macaque.

Earlier this month a monkey allegedly attacked a teen girl and her grandfather in South Houston. That animal has apparently not been found.

Cities surrounding South Houston, such as Houston, Pasadena and Deer Park, have directives in their city charter disallowing the ownership of exotic pets, some specifically naming monkeys among the list of restricted animals. South Houston's charter restricts ownership of livestock, but makes no mention of it being illegal to own monkeys within the city limits.