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Owner in pet monkey attack returned to Florida

Posted at 11:37 AM, Jul 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-20 11:37:54-04

The woman who left the state after investigators say her pet monkey attacked a Home Depot employee is back in Okeechobee County.

Tina Ballard moved to North Carolina because she believed FWC would take her monkey. She was there caring for her mother.

The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant after Ballard failed to show up for a bond hearing.

She was arrested by police in North Carolina and returned to Florida.

A judge signed an order increasing her bail to $29,000. It says she can't have her monkey until the case against her is resolved. The judge ordered the animal to be placed with a person or an entity who is legally licensed and who can safely house the animal.