Distress Claim Denied for Connecticut Cop Who Shot Chimp

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A Connecticut police officer who shot and killed a 200-pound chimpanzee last year after it mauled a woman has been denied an insurance claim for post-traumatic stress disorder because state law only applies to police shootings of people.

State Sen. Andrew McDonald introduced legislation last month, the anniversary of the attack, designed to help the officer get workers’ compensation coverage. His bill would change the law to allow claims for mental or emotional impairment when officers are required to use deadly force on animals that attempt to injure them.

“This officer was placed in a very dangerous situation, and he displayed tremendous bravery and control in those circumstances,” McDonald said. “He put himself in harm’s way for the people of Stamford, and I think the system that was designed to help police officers in such circumstances should be modified to help this officer.”

The 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis went berserk after its owner asked her friend, Charla Nash, to help lure it back into her house. The animal ripped off Nash’s hands, nose, lips and eyelids.

Officer Frank Chiafari shot the chimpanzee after it tried to get into his patrol car. Travis knocked off a mirror, ripped open the door and reached in for Chiafari, said Joseph Kennedy, president of the Stamford Police Association.

“The animal is covered in blood, it’s just raging out of control,” Kennedy said. “Luckily, Frank was able to get his service weapon out from a seated position and shoot the animal.”

The officer has suffered anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares and mood swings, but as returned to duty. The officer just wants his medical bills covered and hopes the bill will lead to recognition that police suffer such injuries, Kennedy said. He said the officer’s workers’ compensation claim was denied.

The city declined to comment.

Kennedy said the officer has bad days, such as when Nash appeared recently on the “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Nash has been hospitalized for the entire year since the attack.

Chiafari is declining interview requests.