Pet monkey ‘bought on a whim’ put down after mistreatment by owners

An exotic pet monkey living in Wales is to be put down later animal rescuers he found himself suffering from a bone disease after months of mistreatment by his employers.

Precious, age 18 months marsupialhe was seen “screaming and rolling in a chaotic and unpredictable manner” when RSPCA Officers searched the home of owners Jonathan Phillips, 54, and Laura Pittman, 52, a court heard.

The RSPCA said Precious was not given vitamin supplements or UV light, which maintains bone health, and fed a variety of ordinary household food including yoghurt and dried fruit.

The breed is meant to be fed “marmoset chow”, a commercially prepared diet, with fresh fruit, vegetables and live insects, Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court was told.

A vet report said Precious was “dragging” and was “unable to climb or jump” and was expected to be lame for several weeks.

She was kept alone at her home in Ferndale, Rhondda, despite being described as having “complex social needs”.

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