1 month ago
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(NewsNation) — Tonia Haddix, the legally troubled prima of the HBO docuseries “Chimp Crazy,” accepts work aft being accused of hiding apes successful her location successful usurpation of national tribunal orders, her lawyer told “Banfield” connected Friday arsenic the jailed pistillate awaits an August sentencing hearing.
In March, Haddix pleaded blameworthy to three felonies aft she falsely reported the decease of a chimpanzee that was recovered to beryllium surviving successful her Missouri home. A justice ruled Haddix could enactment retired of jailhouse earlier her sentencing — provided she did not support immoderate much chimps.
On July 9, however, authorities recovered different concealed chimpanzee being kept successful a cage successful her basement, and Haddix was taken into custody.
One of her attorneys, Justin Gelfand, said the 55-year-old erstwhile caregiver suffered maltreatment arsenic a kid and an big and had a beardown transportation with chimpanzees, overmuch similar regular favored owners person with their dogs oregon cats.
“To beryllium clear, that’s not an excuse, but it is an explanation, and it provides context, and that’s what national sentencing is each about,” Gelfand told big Brian Entin.
He stressed Haddix has not been charged with harming animals.
'Chimp Crazy' prima sued by PETA
The erstwhile exotic carnal broker’s downfall began with a suit filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, oregon PETA, and a consequent consent decree that Haddix allegedly violated. A national tribunal successful 2021 ordered the removal of each chimps from her property. Six were taken.
Haddix lied astir the destiny of a seventh ape, Tonka, saying the chimp had died. Tonka, recovered surviving successful a basement cage, was relocated to a chimp sanctuary successful Florida.
Haddix and her hubby were besides ordered to wage $225,000 to reimburse PETA for ineligible fees, but according to the animal-rights organization, that wealth has not been paid.
"Unlike the chimpanzees she deprived of a existent life, exercise, and caller air, Haddix had a prime successful whether she ended up down bars, and PETA trusts that her willful deceit volition beryllium taken into relationship astatine her sentencing adjacent month," a PETA authoritative said successful a prepared statement.
