The curious case of Dez Bryant's monkey has been solved by the DeSoto Police Department after PETA spoke out against the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who posted a shot of his cute capuchin on Instagram last week.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged police to confiscate Bryant's pet after he shared a picture of it with fans. The possession of a wild animal by a private citizen is reportedly illegal in DeSoto, Texas.
“Monkeys belong in the wild — not in the hands of football players who acquire exotic animals just to make a splash on Instagram,” Brittany Peet, PETA’s Foundation Deputy Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement, said in a statement, adding that the organization had already secured space for the animal at a sanctuary. “This baby capuchin was torn away from his mother shortly after birth and needs special care that can now only be provided by wildlife experts who will be able to ensure that he gets the love and attention he deserves.”
But police reportedly have no plans to track down the monkey after Bryant's personal attorney
contacted them, according to The Dallas Morning News.
"The city attorney was just contacted by Mr. Bryant's personal attorney who advised the monkey is not in the City of DeSoto," authorities told the newspaper. "We don't expect to have any further updates on this matter."
Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett shied away from the monkey
controversy this week, according to USA Today.
"I have not met Dallas [the monkey]," Garrett said. "I've heard stories that he has a monkey and there has been visual evidence of that."
The pet monkey is just another notch in the long saga for the talented, but at times controversial, Bryant, who just returned to the football field himself after being injured in the first game of the season against the New York Giants.
Bryant had two catches for 12 yards in his first game back from that opener on Sunday in a 13-12 loss to two-time NFC champion Seattle Seahawks, dropping the Cowboys to 2-5 on the season.
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