Connecticut being sued for chimp attack

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's attorney general says a notice seeking to sue the state for $150 million for a chimpanzee attack in February "seems unprecedented in size."

Richard Blumenthal says his office is reviewing a claim filed Wednesday by the family of Charla Nash, who was mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee outside a Stamford home Feb. 16. Nash's family filed a claim with the state's Office of Claims Commissioner asking for permission to sue the state.

Blumenthal says he is sympathetic to Nash for what he called a "horrific tragedy."
A Department of Environmental Protection biologist had warned state officials before the attack that the animal named Travis could seriously hurt someone if he felt threatened, noting that he was large and strong.

Nash's family filed a $50 million lawsuit against the chimp's owner.