04/01/2009

Associated Press

Three people are charged with animal abuse and neglect after authorities — responding to a call about an agitated chimpanzee — discovered more than 100 dogs in squalid conditions in northwest Missouri.

The Daviess County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday it responded to a call Monday night about a chimp running on the highway north of Winston. The chimp attacked a deputy who later killed it.

Authorities approaching the home that had reported the chimp suspected it was a puppy mill. Chief Deputy Todd Watson says when officers arrived Tuesday with a search warrant, all but 13 dogs and two cats were gone.

The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $3,000 reward for information on the animals' whereabouts.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture said two other chimpanzees were recovered. Watson said there may be a third chimp.