![]() James and LaDonna launched a fight to keep the chimp. There were dramatic scenes as officials removed Moe from his home. West Covina officials then deemed Moe too dangerous to live with the couple, seizing him to take him to an animal sanctuary. The Davis couple argued he could have mistaken her red-painted fingernails for his favourite liquorice. It was the first blot on his record.Ī little over a year later, Moe bit a woman who against all advice put her hand into his cage. In the resulting standoff and operation to recapture him, he injured a police officer's hand and damaged a vehicle. Spooked, he fled, bolting out of his enclosure. On August 16, 1998, a welder repairing the metal cage apparently left some equipment switched on and Moe got an electric shock. James Davis had to fight to keep Moe the chimp at their home on more than one occasion (Image: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Īt some point in the 1990s, Moe was moved to his own 10ft by 12ft enclosure at the family home. Then in the summer of 1998 came the beginning of the end of their blissful family life on the ranch. James and LaDonna, though well aware chimps could turn aggressive as they got older, said Moe remained "a happy little guy". Through the 1970s and 80s, the chimp's ability to communicate improved and he grew bigger, reaching 4ft in height and 130lbs (9st). James was a respected NASCAR driver and Moe often joined him at racing events. He was made an honorary citizen of West Covina and over the next decade appeared on TV.īy this point, St. He shook hands, gave out kisses and even played with the bailiff. ![]() James and LaDonna were summoned to court, accused of violating a city ordinance by harbouring a wild animal.īut Moe, dressed in shirt, trousers and shoes, charmed the public, the press and the judge. In 1971, a 'monkey trial' turned Moe into a minor celebrity overnight. James and LaDonna Davis at their West Covina home (Image: Getty Images) 'Monkey trial' makes Moe a star Moe (pictured in his cage) lived with St. Like any other family, they enjoyed trips to beach or the mall and ate in restaurants.Īnd it wasn't long before their unusual setup attracted disapproving eyes. Playful, gentle and loving, the chimp ate at the family dinner table, learned to use a fork, was toilet trained, wore clothes and cleaned himself in the shower. LaDonna was diagnosed with cancer and needed a hysterectomy. But a year after they tied the knot, tragedy struck. The couple wanted a big family, with several children to join Moe. He wore a tuxedo and held the flower girl's hand as she walked down the aisle. When they got married in 1970, four-year-old Moe was St. Moe, pictured at the age of 31, became well known in his hometown (Image: Getty Images) ![]() And it's fair to say they were surprised to see a hairy little companion by his side.īut LaDonna soon fell for Moe, just as St. James's mum and LaDonna, still fuming at being jilted at the altar, were waiting for him. ![]() James's lap, good as gold.Īt the airport, St. The chimp, called Mogambo in the village, was now simply Moe. The man took him to German missionaries who got him a flight to Los Angeles. James, whose imposing frame had been reduced to something much skinner. Leaving his ship, he spent the subsequent weeks lovingly rearing the baby ape, while struggling to plot a way back to the US.Įventually a villager took pity on St. The next day, he took it upon himself to care for the orphaned chimp. James Davis was left permanently disfigured after the attack at an animal sanctuary Damaged, the ship was forced ashore, and with time to kill, he joined a hunt during which a chimp was slaughtered after giving birth. Owing to a twist of fate, he found himself in Tanzania, Africa. Despite having never been on a boat, he was soon at sea. An ad in the paper said a merchant ship needed deckhands for an around-the-world trip. But when he didn't show, leaving her waiting in church, he became a pariah in their hometown. A year earlier, he had agreed to marry childhood sweetheart LaDonna in West Covina, California. ![]()
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