An October 28, 2025, crash on a Mississippi highway left authorities with an unexpected challenge. A truck carrying Rhesus monkeys from Tulane University overturned near Heidelberg, and several animals escaped. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office immediately warned residents not to approach the monkeys as they posed a significant threat to humans. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a 35-year-old mom of five who lives near the crash site, never expected one of the monkeys to wind up in her yard. But when it did, she knew exactly what she had to do to protect her family.
The sheriff’s department let residents know the escaped monkeys could attack.
“The monkeys are approximately 40lbs, they are aggressive to humans, and they require PPE to handle. The monkeys carry hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID,” according to a news release from the department.
Bond Ferguson saw one of the escaped monkeys in her backyard and began taking video. She contacted police, who asked her to keep an eye on the monkey. With children ranging in age from 4 to 16, she didn’t want to take any chances. She told the Associated Press she had to protect her family.
“I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” Bond Ferguson said. “I shot at it and it just stood there, and I shot again, and he backed up and that’s when he fell.”
Concerned about what could happen if the police didn’t get to her home quickly, the mom decided to shoot.
“If it attacked somebody’s kid, and I could have stopped it, that would be a lot on me,” she explained. “It’s kind of scary and dangerous that they are running around, and people have kids playing in their yards.”
Bond Ferguson shared some graphic footage on Facebook and caught some heat from those who thought killing the monkey was cruel. But she quickly clapped back.
“For all y’all saying I didn’t have to kill it, I want to see what yall do if it comes in yo yard with your kids and u don’t have a dog to bark n let u knw it’s Outsde getting ready to attack your child n change their life forever with a disease I can’t wait to read a positive comment after that,” she wrote in her post.
Supporters let Bond Ferguson know they approved of her reaction.
“Them folks ain’t talking about not a thing, you did right!” someone commented.
“Girl forget them people. you did exactly what you needed to do,” another person agreed.
We can’t imagine how we’d react in a situation like this. But we can say with 100% certainty, kids over animals any day.
