A Dallas-based influencer has made headlines in a contentious struggle to reclaim her monkey, which authorities took after a car crash.
In a recent incident, Brandi Botello, a social media influencer from Dallas, was charged with DUI following a car crash. After the crash, police confiscated her spider monkey, which was found malnourished and injured, the New York Post reported.
Brandi Botello, 29, claims she was not driving when the crash occurred, blaming a friend she alleges was intoxicated. However, authorities found her in the driver’s seat of her car at the crash site and charged her with driving under the influence. The accident raised serious concerns about the welfare of her pet spider monkey, Jorgie Boy, who was also present at the scene.
Authorities found the 3-year-old spider monkey in a concerning state. Weighing only 6 pounds, Jorgie Boy received diagnoses of fractured bones, rickets, and poorly functioning liver and pancreas—conditions indicating severe malnutrition and neglect.
After the incident, authorities transferred Jorgie Boy to the Funky Monkey Ranch, a sanctuary specialized in primate care. The owner of the ranch, Dwan Johns, underscored the broader issue by stating, "Primates are not pets," underscoring the complexities of keeping wild animals in domestic settings.
Despite the monkey's ailing health and illegal status, as Botello lacked the necessary permits to own such an exotic animal, she has been passionately campaigning for his return. Utilizing social media under the banner #FreeJorgieBoy, she expressed profound emotional attachment to the monkey, likening it to a child of her own.
At a televised interview, Botello pleaded for custody of Jorgie Boy, sharing her daily caretaking routine that included dressing and bathing him. She vehemently denied responsibility for the accident, recounting her version of the events that led to their current predicament.
"I love him. I dress him up every day. I change his diapers, I shower him," she told NBC. "I just want him home. I don’t feel like he should be anywhere but home. He’s more than just a monkey to me, he’s like my child."
The case has drawn public attention not only because of the unusual circumstances but also due to the controversial nature of exotic pet ownership. This incident surfaced weeks after authorities euthanized P’Nut the Squirrel, another unlawfully owned pet in New York, highlighting serious legal and ethical issues.
While Botello has garnered some support from her online following, officials and sanctuary workers maintain a stern stance against her regaining custody. Authorities have not confirmed the identity or testimony of the friend Botello accused of driving, and none of the individuals involved in the accident sustained injuries.
Brandi Botello has shared more thoughts with her followers online, asserting her determination and innocence in the matter. She has also acknowledged her need to make life adjustments to win back Jorgie Boy from the sanctuary.
"He means more to me than anything in this world. I’m not going to let one little mistake break me. I’m willing to change anything and everything for him. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time is a real thing. I owned up to it … I know I’m a good mom … WE ALL KNOW that!"
In this complicated case, authorities and activists urge for regulations ensuring the safety and ethical treatment of exotic pets, while the emotional tug of a pet owner caught in a critical mistake unfolds publicly. The final decision awaits as legal and community scrutiny continues, balancing the welfare of Jorgie Boy against Botello's fervent appeals to bring him home.
