Illegal Monkey Removed From Long Island Home: SPCA

BRENTWOOD, NY - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Suffolk County SPCA have removed a capuchin monkey from a home in Brentwood.

A complaint was received on Friday that a monkey was being illegally kept on the property, authorities said.

Capuchin monkeys, sometimes referred to as "white-faced," or "white-headed," are native to the forests of Central and South America and are illegal in New York State without a special permit from the state DEC.

The monkey will be transported to a licensed facility, Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

"These primates can transmit infection diseases and can inflict serious injury," Gross said.

The monkey's owner has been charged, but the specific charge has not been released.

Just last month, a 6-foot alligator was removed from a Long Island home.