Brandi Botello does not consider her spider monkey, Jorgie Boy, a pet. He’s more like her son.
She dresses him in adorable pajama sets, feeds him his favorite Tex-Mex treats and falls asleep at night curled against him.
Now, Botello says she feels lost since the two were separated days ago. Dallas police confiscated the 3-year-old monkey after Botello and a friend were in a one-car accident early Saturday morning in Northwest Dallas.
The 29-year-old Irving woman says she is desperate to get Jorgie Boy back. Botello has taken to Instagram, where she has more than 40,000 followers, to post pictures of Jorgie Boy and express her devastation. Followers have shared her posts with the hashtag “Free Jorgie Boy.”
“He’s my little boy. We do everything together,” Botello said. “I can’t stop crying.”
A Dallas police spokesman told The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday the monkey was transferred to Irving. Irving police spokesperson Delaney Brey said the monkey has since been relocated to a wildlife sanctuary to ensure he receives the best care.
Botello said she was taken to the hospital after the crash for a blood draw and police told her she faces arrest for DWI, although she disputes she was the one driving. Jorgie Boy was asleep on her and not injured in the accident, she said.
While it is legal in Texas to own some exotic animals, including monkeys, the state does require permits. Botello said she was unaware she needed a special permit. The city of Irving restricts ownership of wild animals.
A friend gave Botello the monkey when he was just 2 months old, and the two quickly bonded, sharing picnics and watching Dallas Cowboys games together. For Halloween, they dressed as Dora the Explorer and her monkey, Boots.
For now, Botello is scrolling through old photos and videos of Jorgie Boy on her phone.
“I just want my baby back,” she said. “I’m hurting.”
