RUTHERFORD COLLEGE, N.C. -- The owner of a monkey accused of attacking a store clerk in Burke County believes he knows what may have triggered the attack.

The owners said he thinks the monkey was attracted to some coconut lotion that Brooke Ross was wearing. Sheriff’s deputies said his pet stepped off of his shoulder onto the counter where Ross was working, and when she reached down to pet it, it latched onto her face.

Ross suffered a number of scratches, but the owner and Animal Control officers assured her the monkey had been vaccinated.

The man told Eyewitness News he’s owned the monkey for six years and considers it part of his family. He’s a trucker, and he and the monkey have been traveling to New York this week.

The owner said he plans on helping Ross with her medical bills and he won’t be taking his monkey into any more stores.

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