SHALLOTTE, N.C. -- A Japanese snow monkey was shot to death after escaping an enclosure in his owner’s backyard in Brunswick County.

• Police say the pet monkey escaped from its cage
• It attacked a neighbor
• No charges are expected to be filed

Shallotte police say the pet monkey escaped its cage at a home on Kimberly Lane Friday. It attacked a neighbor by biting and scratching her several times.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repairman working on the woman's house pulled out his gun, which he carries legally, and shot the monkey after it ran toward him.

Officers say the owner of the monkey is allowed to own exotic animals and actually has several other monkeys in the same enclosure.

The woman is being treated for minor injuries. No charges are expected to be filed.