The Main Investigation Department announces a new criminal case linked to a monkey attack on a two-year-old near Moscow
An official statement from the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation confirms the opening of another criminal case connected to the incident where a monkey attacked a two-year-old girl in Terpigorievo, a village close to Moscow. The case points to negligence by certain officials who were responsible for oversight within the state control framework in the Moscow region.
According to the department, those officials failed to properly monitor the conditions under which wild animals were kept in a private zoo operated by a local resident. The failure allowed the animal to escape its enclosure and cross into a neighboring area on July 21, where it attacked a boy. The information has been reported by TASS and is part of ongoing law enforcement activities. The animal reportedly escaped during repairs to the enclosure.
Previously, a criminal case had been opened under Part 1 of Article 118 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation after the attack, which caused grievous bodily harm through negligence. The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office.
The incident occurred while a young girl was walking in the courtyard of her home with a companion. The parents were able to intervene and drive the animal away from their daughter. The girl sustained serious injuries, including deep wounds and broken fingers, and was hospitalized. The animal was eventually captured and taken into custody.
The evolving investigation underscores the legal responsibilities surrounding the custody and control of wild animals in private facilities. Officials are scrutinized for adherence to safety and regulatory standards designed to prevent similar incidents in the future.