NEW YORK

In an effort to forcibly remove Tommy the chimpanzee from his human owner, an animal-rights group fought to have him declared a legal person. But the New York State Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday against the case.

Attorney Steven Wise argued that animals with high intelligence deserve basic human rights. Wise says Tommy is kept in a cage inside a warehouse in Gloversville, N.Y. He used to have other chimps for company, but now lives alone with just a TV to distract him. Owner Patrick Lavery says the chimp is perfectly content. "He's got a lot of enrichment." The lawsuit didn't actually address the treatment of Tommy, but rather that laws allowing chimps to be kept in captivity shouldn't exist at all. - Washington Post