Chris Brown has been panned by social media users after gifting his daughter Royalty a pet monkey.
The Loyalty singer, 28, – who shares his two-year-old daughter with friend Nia Guzman – is undoubtedly a doting father, but got it wrong in his fans’ eyes with the latest present.
In a clip posted to his 41 million Instagram followers, Brown shows Royalty cuddling a baby monkey in a blanket. It appears to be wearing a nappy.
Brown’s new pet caused anger among followers, who criticised the singer for being cruel.
One upset follower said: “Why? Why taking a little baby monkey away from it’s mother? This is a wild animal! And why giving the wrong example to your followers/fans? Just one question-why? You must have known better! This breaks my heart! ”
While another added: “You clearly have no heart (or brain) to do something so cruel to an animal! They belong in the wild! Rescue her a puppy she will be just as happy!”
A third claimed it was illegal to adopt such a pet, telling Brown: “Isnt it illegal animal wild life trade –USDA or FBI needs to enforce Wildlife laws!!”
Primates including monkeys may indeed be illegal to keep as pets depending on where you live. If a monkey is legal to own in your area, permits may be required – which is hopefully something Brown has sorted out.
Other fans of the star defended him, with one person claiming: “what would you suggest?? A snake.. stop hating”.
As another said: “you’re just jealous”.
Brown’s career has been plagued with controversies via his personal life, receiving worldwide media attention in 2009 for pleading guilty to felony assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
In February of this year, his most recent ex-partner Karrueche Tran granted a temporary 100-yard restraining order against Brown, and eventually a five-year restraining order against him after she claimed he threatened to kill her. He was also involved in a scuffle with fellow artist Drake in a nightclub in 2012, and voluntarily decided to enter rehab in October 2013.
IBTimes