A FORMER TV star chimpanzee was shot dead by US police after it went on an unexplained rampage, seriously injuring a woman.Travis, a 15-year-old chimpanzee who has appeared in TV commercials and a talk show, badly injured a woman and attacked the police before an officer cornered in his car was forced to shoot the simian, the Associated Press reports.
The woman, who is in a serious condition in hospital, was visiting Sandra Herold at her Stamford, Connecticut home when long-time family pet Travis lept on her as soon as she emerged from the car and made a savage attack to the face.
Ms Herold ran inside to call police and fetch a weapon after she failed to wrestle the chimpanzee off her friend.
"She retrieved a large butcher knife and stabbed her longtime pet numerous times in an effort to save her friend, who was really being brutally attacked," Stamford police Lieutenant Richard Conklin said.
Travis finally retreated but was still on the Herold property when police arrived and surrounded the woman so medics could treat her.
The enraged chimpanzee charged at officers who retreated to their cars.
Two police officers are reported to have unspecifed injuries.
Travis opened the door to one of the police vehicles forcing the cornered officer to shoot several times.
Leaving a trail of blood Travis ran off to his quarters, where he died.
Travis had appeared in TV ads for Old Navy clothing stores and Coca-Cola.
He had also been a guest on the Maury Povich talk show and performed in TV pilot, The Advocate.
Though he has previously run away and obstinately refused to lured back, until the violent outburst Travis was mostly a docile pet.
Travis was well known locally for riding in trucks belonging to his Herolds' towing company.
"He's been raised almost like a child by this family," Lt Conklin told AP.
"He rides in a car every day, he opens doors, he's a very unique animal in that aspect. We have no indication of what provoked this behaviour at all."
There is speculation a recent bout of Lyme disease could have affected the chimpanzee's temperament.
His owners have previously told police that Travis was toilet trained, dressed himself, took his own baths, ate at the table, brushed his teeth and drank from a wineglass, AP reported.
He also used a remote control to watch TV and could log onto a computer to look at pictures.
