OKEECHOBEE, Fla. -- A diaper-wearing pet monkey attacked a Home Depot employee who was trying to find the monkey's owner.
- Pet monkey attacked Home Depot worker
- The monkey escaped from its owner's truck
- The worker was bitten on the back, her hand and arm
The incident happened Monday at the store located at 2700 Highway 441 South, according to the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office.
The monkey's owner, Tina Ballard, told deputies she left her pet monkey in her truck on a leash.
However, the monkey escaped from the vehicle and wandered the parking lot.
Marilyn Howard, the worker who was attacked, told deputies that she was taking a break outside the store when she heard coworkers yelling about a monkey.
Howard said she then spotted the monkey walking toward her. She grabbed the monkey's leash when it climbed on her and bit her twice on the back.
According to a deputy's report, Howard grabbed the leash again and began leading the monkey to the front of the store to locate the owner.
The monkey was startled when passing the store's sliding doors, according deputies. The monkey attacked Howard again, this time biting her on the arm and hand. She also was scratched on the left side of her face.
Howard refused medical treatment but told deputies she would go to a hospital to be evaluated.
Animal Control and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified about the incident.
FWC is now investigating the case.