WBRZ - Baton Rouge

State wildlife officials say they had to put a Lafayette Parish woman's pet monkey to death after it bit a child.

It happened last week in Lafayette.

The 3-year-old girl was at a friend's house when the 35 pound Japanese Snow Macaque bit her hand.

Officials say the animal had to be tested for several diseases, including rabies, which required putting the animal to death.

Authorities cited the monkey's owner, a 39-year-old Carencro woman, for possessing a non-human primate without a permit.

If convicted, she could be fined up to $350 and sentenced to up to 60 days in jail.