Photo: WENN
Justin Bieber has been slammed by vets for 'abandoning' his pet monkey Mally, after the young animal was seized by customs officers while on tour.
The star recently tried to smuggle Mally into Munich, but the capuchin monkey was discovered by officials and placed in quarantine. Despite this happening last week, Bieber and his team have continued with their tour and have not contacted the animal welfare centre at all.
Animal welfare centre workers have not even received a phone call from the star and, as the monkey is only 14 weeks old, have said that he may be scarred by the experience.
According to The Sun, Austrian vet Kurt Grabenwoeger said of Bieber's actions that they are 'monstrous', continuing, "These monkeys not only need to be with their mothers for at least a year, but they should also be surrounded by their family group.
"They are living creatures - not celebrity accessories like a handbag. Imagine a human baby sent off on a world tour at ten weeks - would anyone allow that?"
The monkey is said to currently be in a cage with a stuffed toy and a photo of the pop star. Welfare centre boss Karl Joachim said the capuchin refused to eat when it first arrived, and added, "He was snatched from his mother when he was around nine weeks old. That is much too early."
Justin Bieber performing live in Germany last month
He continued, "He is clearly traumatised at being taken away from his family. We could not get him to eat until we gave him the cuddly toy he was clinging to when he was delivered to us. This obviously acts as a kind of surrogate parent. He keeps calling a lot for company — without his toy he won’t eat at all."
Although the monkey is a protected species, Bieber is unlikely to face prosecution for illegally importing Mally to Germany. His manager has refused to comment.
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