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Star Faces Prison for Chimp Lie; PETA Reacts

8/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tonia Haddix, star of HBO's upcoming docuseries “Chimp Crazy,” faces 46 months in federal prison for lying about her pet chimpanzee, Tonka. After claiming Tonka had died, authorities discovered him alive in her basement. PETA is rallying behind the Captive Primate Safety Act to ensure such shocking incidents don’t happen again.

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Story summary

Tonia Haddix, star of HBO's upcoming docuseries “Chimp Crazy,” faces 46 months in federal prison for lying about her pet chimpanzee, Tonka. After claiming Tonka had died, authorities discovered him alive in her basement. PETA is rallying behind the Captive Primate Safety Act to ensure such shocking incidents don’t happen again.