Charla Nash, the Connecticut woman who was nearly killed by a chimpanzee has filed a lawsuit. Meanwhile, another chimp terrorized a Las Vegas neighborhood for the second time this summer. INSIDE EDITION reports.
It's another great escape for the chimp, Calamity Jane. Once again, she spread terror around her neighborhood in Las Vegas.
This time, C.J. for short, actually broke into a neighbor's house, giving the family inside the shock of their lives.
C.J. is the same primate who broke out of her cage two weeks ago. You may recall how she turned on an INSIDE EDITION cameraman shortly after she was re-captured.
"I was terrified. That thing had an iron grip," said the cameraman after his brush with the animal.
How dangerous can a chimpanzee be, even when raised by humans?
Consider that horrifying attack back in 2009, when Charla Nash was mauled by a chimp named Travis in Connecticut.
The voice of Travis' owner, Sandra Herald was heard on that chilling 911 call when Herald screamed, "It ripped her face off!"
Charla Nash was Herald's neighbor and closest friend.
Several months following the attack, Nash bravely unveiled her disfigured face on Oprah.
Nash lost her eyes, her nose, her lips and her ears. She is now unrecognizable from the woman she used to be.
Last year Nash received a face transplant at Brigham Women's Hospital in Boston. It's truly miraculous what the doctors have been able to achieve.
Nash has even regained her sense of smell and her speech is greatly improved. She even cracked a joke about being surrounded by camera crews last week.
When asked, "Are you comfortable?"
She said, "Yeah. I'm used to playing bumper cars."
Nash also received a double hand transplant but unfortunately, her body rejected the new limbs.
Hers is an inspiring story of a woman who refuses to give up. Now, she has a new struggle, a quest for justice.
Nash is seeking the right to sue the state of Connecticut for $150 million, arguing that officials knew that Travis was dangerous and should have removed him.
Under Connecticut law, Nash has to seek permission from a claims commissioner before she can pursue her case against the state.
Nash's attorney described her desperate situation.
"She has endured and continues to endured loneliness, despair and suffering that is beyond anyone's comprehension in this room," said her lawyer.
But her bravery and strength are evident.
Nash said, "It's hard, but I'm thankful that I'm still here."
Given what happened in Las Vegas over the weekend, Nash's words of warning for the owners of exotic animals should be heeded, "I hope that this never happens to anyone else again."
