PETA Seeks Legal Action Against ‘Chimp Crazy’ Star for Allegedly Orchestrating Elaborate Hoax
In a dramatic turn of events that rivals the most gripping Hollywood scripts, HBO’s “Chimp Crazy” star Tonia Haddix finds herself at the center of a mounting legal storm. The animal rights organization PETA has filed a motion seeking perjury charges against Haddix, alleging she orchestrated an elaborate scheme to fake the death of a famous chimpanzee under her care.
The sanctuary saga
Haddix, 55, who has operated the Missouri Primate Foundation in Festus since 2018, gained notoriety through HBO’s documentary series “Chimp Crazy,” created by the same team behind the viral hit “Tiger King.” The series chronicled her ongoing legal battles with PETA over the custody of several chimpanzees in her facility.
A trail of deception
The controversy reached a boiling point in late 2020 when Haddix was found in contempt of court after failing to fulfill her promise to improve the living conditions for the primates. During a subsequent raid by PETA and US Marshals, authorities successfully removed six primates but were unable to locate Tonka, a 33-year-old chimpanzee whom Haddix claimed had died in 2021.
The plot thickened in June 2022 when US Marshals made a shocking discovery. “The ‘George of the Jungle’ star was discovered by US Marshals locked in a cage in Tonix’s basement – and the HBO crew caught it all on camera.”
Allegations of elaborate deception
PETA’s latest filing details disturbing allegations, including what they describe as a “grotesque scheme to exhume the severely decomposed corpse of another chimpanzee and pass that corpse off as Tonka’s remains.”
“Tonia Haddix brazenly defied court orders on camera and made a mockery of the justice system in front of an international audience in order to deprive a chimpanzee of a real life,” stated PETA Foundation General Counsel Brittany Pee.
Legal ramifications
If convicted of perjury, Haddix could face up to five years in prison. She currently owes PETA approximately $240,000 in legal expenses, with the organization claiming her actions resulted in hundreds of additional billable hours for their attorneys.
The defense
When contacted about PETA’s latest legal move, Haddix expressed weariness rather than surprise. “To be honest with you, I didn’t know that was transpiring,” Haddix told Rolling Stone on Monday morning after learning of PETA’s letter. “Am I shocked? No. Am I sad and wish that people would just leave me alone? Yes. But PETA is not going to stop. They’re relentless. I’m just worn out.”
This marks PETA’s sixth motion of contempt against the HBO star, who has yet to face any formal charges or convictions. As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex intersection between animal rights, entertainment, and justice in modern America.
