:rant:Did anyone see the story on the back page of Wednesdays Star about the young boxer from Woodthorpe and his pet marmoset monkey?

Couldn't believe what I was reading. :loopy:

Don't know how to post a link, but basically the story was as follows.

'Nikki Smedley is one of the few sportsmen who wants a monkey on his back.

The Sheffield boxer will be taking his latest pet with him when he goes into the ring. Every fighter has his own gimmick but Spike the monkey whose natural habitat is more Brazillian rainforest than boxing ring, is more unusual than most.

'Tarzan' Smedley who keeps the marmoset in his Woodthorpe bedroom!, explained, " I've had a monkey before but it was vicious and I had to get shut of it." :shakes:

"This one is nice. It's only 8 weeks old and about 5" tall, it just sits on the back of my neck"

"It will be with me before my fight at the arena".



Poor little monkey, surely this shouldn't be kept as a pet and how did he 'get shut' of the last one.

This is bad, cant believe anyone could be so stupid.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/boxing/39Me-Tarzan-you-Spike39-but.3173661.jp

Unbelievable! I didn't think you could buy exotic pets like this anymore. I remember when they were for sale in the pet shop on the wicker in the early 70s. How come the RSPCA or other animal agencies haven't picked up on this- especially if he's keeping it in his bedroom rather than in conditions befitting it's species. Don't like the sound of the comment' had to get shut of it', either...

Unbelievable! I didn't think you could buy exotic pets like this anymore. I remember when they were for sale in the pet shop on the wicker in the early 70s. How come the RSPCA or other animal agencies haven't picked up on this- especially if he's keeping it in his bedroom rather than in conditions befitting it's species. Don't like the sound of the comment' had to get shut of it', either...

My thoughts exactly! The only place round here where I have seen marmoset monkeys before is at the Butterfly House where they know how to look after them and they get plenty of excercise etc.

Where does he keep it in his bedroom, in a cage?

Surely the RSPCA should do something about this.:(

My thoughts exactly! The only place round here where I have seen marmoset monkeys before is at the Butterfly House where they know how to look after them and they get plenty of excercise etc.

Where does he keep it in his bedroom, in a cage?

Surely the RSPCA should do something about this.:(

RSPCA do something?! I wouldnt hold your breath!

Not to sound too hard but lets hope Swansea's Damian Owen...
gives him a good......... in the ring.

"This one is nice. It's only 8 weeks old and about 5" tall, it just sits on the back of my neck"




Until it gets a little older and learns what the 'jugular' is. Hope it has sharp teeth.

Most Primates do become aggressive when they reach adult stages and no doubt this one will and he will get shut of that aswell......****** is to good a word for him.

A bedroom is not the place for this poor thing and I am sure th poor monkey will be traumatised at attending a boxing event with lots of jeering and shouting going on, the Star should be ashamed at printing this story:rant::rant:

RSPCA do something?! I wouldnt hold your breath!

Oh I don't know.

Mention the words "fund raiser" or "collection" and they spring all-hands-on-deck into action.

Say "we have fledgeling chicks falling through an open hole in the ceiling in our office" (looking for food so parents either abandoned them or were killed) and they just say "block the hole up so they don't cause any more nuisance and don't rescue them because interfering with a nest is illegal" (maybe they'd have bothered for an ill eagle - boom boom [sorry])

An incident I will always remember when an RSPCA collection tin is rattled in my face.

Was more than happy to make a donation to the bird rescue on woodseats road for taking the chicks in and nursing them

Back on topic...well, posting my word-for-word opinion would probably lead me to being banned from the forum. It kind of rhymes with clucking banker

I know a few people who have had marmosets and by far the biggest problem you will encounter with these is they are very messy. They can be trained to toilet in specific areas but will still throw their own crap at anyone who moves.
Their diet can be very difficult to maintain and they can catch human diseases, the worst one being cold sores (herpes virus) which can kill them.
They can be stressed very easily and are rarely happy unless with other marmosets.
Everyone I know who has had them have sold them on.

I know a few people who have had marmosets and by far the biggest problem you will encounter with these is they are very messy. They can be trained to toilet in specific areas but will still throw their own crap at anyone who moves.
Their diet can be very difficult to maintain and they can catch human diseases, the worst one being cold sores (herpes virus) which can kill them.
They can be stressed very easily and are rarely happy unless with other marmosets.
Everyone I know who has had them have sold them on.


Even more Clucking Bankers.

The guy has a pet monkey hanging to his neck.

As drab as this story is, its not like he's got a dancing bear is it?

Even more Clucking Bankers.

Hardly, they were educated exotic pet keepers who simply got out of their depth.
Most people in the exotic pet trade that operate at a fairly high level will regularly deal in pets that shouldnt really be kept and all exotic pet shop owners and breeders will regularly sell arachnids, reptiles and the likes to people who will never be able to competently look after them, and dont let them tell you otherwise.

I would love a spider but know I could never commit the right level of care needed to one, so I admire anyone who does keep them - I know my limits.