Animal rights group PETA has called on authorities to investigate whether Dallas Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant is in illegal possession of a baby monkey, asking for the animal to be transferred to a sanctuary.
Bryant posted a photo on his Instagram account last week of the monkey, along with the message "My new best friend.... Dallas Bryant."
PETA identified the monkey as a capuchin in a letter to animal control authorities in DeSoto, Texas, where Bryant owns a home.
The letter cited a municipal code which states that Bryant is not legally eligible to own the monkey unless he has a special use permit, which usually is granted only to public zoos, schools, retail pet distributors, rodeos or circuses.