A Dallas-based influencer, Brandi Botello, found herself and her pet spider monkey, Jorgie Boy, at the center of controversy after police seized the monkey following her arrest for driving under the influence over the weekend. The incident unfolded Saturday morning when police responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident. Although Botello was charged with driving intoxicated, she claims she was merely passed out as her companion drove the vehicle. Compounding the turbulence of the situation, authorities later discovered Jorgie Boy was suffering from severe health issues, adding layers to this already complex and troubling story.
The bizarre series of events began when Botello was found passed out in the passenger seat of the car, clutching Jorgie Boy—a nearly three-year-old spider monkey—while her male acquaintance was allegedly driving. Botello insists she had no idea what was happening and stated, “I slept through the car accident. I didn’t even know we were in an accident.” Further complicity arose as she claimed to have unknowingly moved to the driver's seat after the crash, stating, “When I turned around there was a cop right there and he was trying to accuse me of driving.” Despite her declarations of innocence, authorities arrested her on the scene.
The incident took another sharp turn with the involvement of animal control. After confirming Botello lived in Irving, Texas—a city where keeping wild animals like Jorgie Boy is illegal—officers took the monkey and transferred him to Funky Monkey Ranch, described as a wildlife sanctuary near Fort Worth. Here, his condition was assessed, leading to startling revelations.
Veterinarians discovered Jorgie Boy weighed just six pounds, which is less than half of the average weight for spider monkeys of his age. More alarming was the diagnosis of rickets, caused by prolonged malnutrition, alongside tiny bone fractures and elevated levels of liver and pancreatic enzymes. The owner of the sanctuary, Dwan Johns, documented the monkey's serious ailments for reporters, stating, “So he is legally here where he will stay,” referring to his new residence at Funky Monkey Ranch. Botello’s claims to the contrary, the sanctuary confirmed there were no plans to return Jorgie Boy.
On her social media, Botello expressed her emotional turmoil over losing Jorgie Boy. With over 43,000 followers on Instagram, she took to the platform to voice her distress, writing, “This ugly depressing lonely feeling I have is the worst,” and insisted she wouldn’t give up on her pet. Her dedicated posts included the hashtag #FreeJorgieBoy, showcasing not just her plight but also hinting at her determination to regain custody of him.
Through all the chaos, questions arise about Botello’s care of Jorgie Boy as well as her relationship with exotic pets. Much of the discourse surrounds the legality and ethical standards related to owning wild animals as pets—especially monkeys, which require specific care and healthy diets to thrive. Rickets and malnutrition point to neglect, raising concerns whether Jorgie Boy ever received appropriate care from his owner.
Texas possesses laws permitting exotic animal ownership under certain regulations, allowing some residents to have monkeys, provided they obtain the necessary permits. Unfortunately for Botello, Irving’s restrictions on owning wild animals meant she was never eligible to keep Jorgie Boy legally. The sanctuary's owner reflected on the situation, noting how important it was for animal control to handle such cases carefully, particularly considering the potential consequences for the animals involved.
Botello’s situation highlights broader discussions surrounding the responsibilities of pet ownership—especially when it involves exotic or wild animals. One can only hope Jorgie Boy receives the treatment he needs to recover fully, but it also poses challenging questions about the bond between pet owners and their exotic companions. Will Botello’s public plea sway animal control, or is Jorgie Boy destined for never returning to his previous life?
Only time will tell how this case will unravel, but as the story continues to develop, it remains evident the lines between pet ownership and legality are as complicated as ever.
