Police shot and killed Travis the chimp a 200-pound (90-kg) chimpanzee that had once had stardom in television commercials for for Coca-Cola and the clothing retailer Old Navy after the chimpanzee attack almost killed its owner’s friend and then attacked a police cruiser.
The victim, Charla Nash, 55, was in very critical condition from the biting and mauling attack on Monday, said Captain Richard Conklin, a spokesman for police in Stamford, Connecticut, a New York City suburb. Her injuries were life threatening, he said on Tuesday.
Owner Sandra Herold, 70, tried to stop Travis the chimp, by stabbing him with a butcher knife and hitting him with a shovel but Travis the chimpanzee fended off the attack and then stormed a police car that had responded to the scene.
Police car Damage includes ripped off the side-view mirror of the police car, banged on the car and opened the driver’s side door, leading the officer to shoot the chimp several times with his pistol
The animal fled the scene and police found a blood trail leading to its living quarters inside the house, where he died.
The chimp, just short of 15 years old, was taking medication for Lyme disease, which in humans can cause nerve damage and confusion in its later stages.
Travis the chimpanzee, who was well known as the Stamford chimp for driving around in his owner’s tow trucks and who could dress himself,. He apparently was also known for liking police cars. Two officers were also reportedly injured in the attack.
Neighbours and local media said Travis the chimpanzee was normally well behaved and engaged in human activity such as surfing the Internet and watching baseball on TV. He reportedly sat at the dinner table, ate expensive steaks and drank wine, brushing his teeth afterward.

Travis the chimp 911 call begs police in 911 call to stop attack after tapes where released

The frantic owner of a 200-pound chimpanzee that went berserk in Connecticut pleaded with police over the phone to help her stop the animal from mauling her friend, begging them to “Hurry, please! He ripped her face off.”

Police in Stamford released 911 tapes of Sandra Herold’s desperate call to police Monday as her 15-year-old chimp, Travis, was attacking 55-year-old Charla Nash.

The chimp can be heard grunting at times on the tape, as Herold cries, “He’s killing my friend!”

The dispatcher says, “Who’s killing your friend?”

Herold replies, “My chimpanzee! He ripped her apart! Shoot him, shoot him!”

After police arrive, one officer radios back: “There’s a man down. He doesn’t look good,” he says, referring to the disfigured Nash. “We’ve got to get this guy out of here. He’s got no face.”

CBS News RAW:” Chilling 911 tapes have been released in connection with a chimpanzee attack in Conn. that’s left one woman in critical condition.