Chimp shot dead after mauling

A 14-STONE pet chimpanzee once seen in TV commercials mauled a woman visiting its owner and cornered a police officer before being shot dead.

Captain Richard Conklin of Stamford Police in Connecticut in the US said the injured woman was taken to hospital last night in a “very serious” condition.

She suffered “a tremendous loss of blood” from facial injuries.

The 15-year-old chimpanzee’s owner and two officers were also hurt.

Police said they had no idea why the chimpanzee, named Travis, attacked the woman as she got out of her car to visit the animal’s owner, Sandra Herold.

Capt Conklin said Herold wrestled with the animal, then ran inside to call emergency services.

“She retrieved a large butcher knife and stabbed her long-time pet numerous times in an effort to save her friend, who was really being brutally attacked,” he said.

Travis ran away and started roaming Herold’s property as police arrived. Officers set up security so medics could reach the injured woman, Capt Conklin said.

As the woman was treated, the chimpanzee went after several of the officers, who retreated into their cars. Travis opened the door to one cruiser and started to get in, trapping an officer, who then shot the chimpanzee several times, Capt Conklin said.

Travis appeared on TV commercials for Old Navy and Coca-Cola when he was younger.