CLEWISTON, Fla. - The fight against a monkey breeding facility in Hendry County received celebrity status Tuesday.
"The motto of Hendry County is sweet friendly country, and they're bringing in an industry that is torturing monkeys,” said Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Velez- Mitchell hosted a show on cable’s HLN for 6 years. She’s now an animal rights activist who, along with several other protesters, jammed county commission chambers.
They’re upset over undercover video that surfaced last April showing monkeys being abused at Primate Products.
“People who were swinging these monkeys by their tails, the people who are letting monkeys freeze,” said Velez Mitchell about the people abusing the animals.
Last year the USDA slapped the facility with 25 violations after that video surfaced.
“The pieces that the county is responsible for, as well as the pieces we have communicated with the federal agencies on, they agree everything has been cleared up with regard to the allegations,” said Hendry County Commission Chair Michael Swindle.
Opponents say the county also failed to warn residents about the dangers posed by a future monkey breeding center.
They say the Macaque monkeys that would be housed there will spread diseases, possibly contaminating the water.
"It’s always a concern of mine, whether it's monkeys or other live stock, but again we have to put our faith in the federal, state and local inspections that happen,” responded Swindle.
But Velez-Mitchell and others aren't convinced county leaders are listening.
"One Google search would have told them this is the most reviled industry on the planet."
A judge could decide soon whether the County broke state sunshine laws during the planning process into this new monkey breeding center.
