Stress claim denied for Conn. cop who shot chimp

Police officer, Frank Chiafari, not only had to see what happened to the woman attacked by the Chimp, he was also attacked by it. "The animal is covered in blood, it's just raging out of control," and going after him. Think of what that would do to any other human. Think of what that did to his mind after. To deny him workers' compensation after going thru something like this is wrong. He put his life on the line to stop this huge animal from attacking anyone else and his life was in danger because of it.

Stress claim denied for Conn. cop who shot chimp
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN (AP) – 19 hours ago

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A police officer who shot and killed a chimpanzee last year after it mauled a woman has been denied a claim for workers' compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder because state law only applies to police shootings of people.

State Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, introduced legislation Tuesday — the one-year anniversary of the attack — designed to help the officer get workers' compensation coverage. His bill would change the law to allow claims for mental or emotional impairment when officers are required to use deadly force on animals that attempt to injure them.

"This officer was placed in a very dangerous situation, and he displayed tremendous bravery and control in those circumstances," McDonald said. "He put himself in harm's way for the people of Stamford, and I think the system that was designed to help police officers in such circumstances should be modified to help this officer."

The 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis went berserk after its owner asked her friend, Charla Nash, to help lure it back into her house. The animal ripped off Nash's hands, nose, lips and eyelids.
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Stress claim denied for Conn. cop who shot chimp