Woman charged with keeping monkeys

CHICAGO — A woman suspected of keeping two monkeys at her mother's suburban Chicago home faces charges of possession of dangerous animals and animal neglect.

In a news release, the Cook County Sheriff's Office says that 46-year-old Rachel Birkenfeld was arrested last week after a social worker reported seeing the animals during a welfare check of Birkenfeld's elderly mother.

The release says the monkeys were living in filthy cages and had no access to food or water. It also says investigators found five dogs that were also living in similar conditions.

Officials say Birkenfeld did not have permits from the state's agriculture department that are required for anyone who keeps primates.