Major update in case of ‘terrorist’ MONKEY gang who attacked 49 people in 19-day rampage

OFFICIALS in Japan have revealed a major update in the case of a “terrorist” gang of monkeys who attacked 49 people during a 19-day rampage. Local authorities in Yamaguchi say they’ve caught and killed the devious monkey believed to be the ringleader of the menacing squad. Local authorities in Japan say they’ve caught and killed the ringleader of a group of monkeys that have terrorised locals The vicious squad attacked a baby earlier this month GettyMacaque monkeys are known to hide-out and attack residents in Yamaguchi city[/caption] For weeks now officials have been trying to track down the crazed creatures who have mauled and scratched residents in surprise attacks. On Tuesday, specially-commissioned hunters said they shot the leader of the pack with a tranquiliser near a lake at a high school in the city, an official has said. Once it was identified as one of the monkeys behind the recent spate of attacks, officials put it down. They also said the simian was suspected to be around four-years-old and was around half a metre tall. MORE ON JAPAN HIGH ALERT Japan volcano erupts just 30 miles from nuclear plant as evacuations ordered LETHAL WEAPON Chilling moment cops find NINE barrel shotgun made by Shinzo Abe 'killer' Patrols have been stepped up in Yamaguchi since a wave of attacks in the Japanese city saw adults and children left with serious injuries three weeks ago. Some 49 people have been attacked, including a baby who was mutilated by the crazed creatures. One city official said: “Eyewitnesses describe monkeys of different sizes, and even after the capture, we’ve been getting reports of new attacks.” Japanese macaques are common across large parts of the country, but such assaults are usually rare. Most read in The Sun BY HER SIDE Rishi Sunak rushed to Kate McCann & held her hand after debate host fainted 'DEVASTATED' Mum's tribute to 'wonderful boy' after Brit, 22, killed by helicopter blades SCHUEY SHOCK How Schumacher's family sought to hide £1m pic of F1 legend leaked by 'friend' BLUE MUST BE JOKING Chelsea make sensational Harry Kane transfer swoop with Bayern keen OVER AND OUT Schmeichel 'agrees shock Nice transfer' after more than a decade at Leicester FENCE ROW We're furious after verge we’ve parked on for 35 years was blocked with 40m fence A city official from the agricultural department told AFP: “All of Yamaguchi city is surrounded by mountains and it’s not rare to see monkeys. “But it’s rare to see this many attacks in a short period of time.” At least eight people are understood to have been attacked over the weekend – including a teenage girl after a monkey smashed through a screen window. Amid the madness, a monkey slid open a fly screen and clawed at a tiny baby earlier this month. The baby’s mum told local TV: “I was vacuuming in the living room and heard the sound of my baby crying loudly. “When I went in to check there was a monkey pulling the baby across the floor as if trying to make off with it.” She added: “It’s pretty scary that the monkey can open fly screens and just get into homes. “I would like to see it caught as soon as possible.” Read More on The Sun MUM’S THE WORD I’m a therapist - here’s 3 things parents should NEVER say to their kids ROAD RAGE I was stunned to get a £6MILLION parking fine - I nearly collapsed For the most part, injuries have so far been mild – but authorities have decided to turn tranquilizer guns after traps they set failed to catch any of the culprits. The official added: “Initially only children and women were attacked. Recently elderly people and adult men have been targeted too.” Officials said the rest of the crazed creatures remain on the loose AFPThe monkeys are known to be serial pests who attack and steal from tourists[/caption]