FREMONT — A monkey ran free in Fremont for nearly three hours Thursday afternoon, scratching two children before it was recaptured by its owner.

The owner, Cecilia Pinkston, 43, of 1221 Hickory St., will be cited for allowing an animal to run through the city at large, police Capt. Kenneth Buchele said.

Police received a call at 3:51 p.m. that the 6-year-old grivet monkey was loose. Within the first hour of freedom, it scratched two young girls on Spruce Street and the 1100 block of State Street. Neither injury required medical attention, Captain Buchele said.

Ms. Pinkston called police at 6:40 p.m. to report she had captured the monkey, which Captain Buchele described as the size of a raccoon.

She showed police an outdated license from the USDA that permits her to sell, but not necessarily own, exotic animals. Authorities say she operated a business called East Side Grooming that required the license.

First Published June 10, 2011, 2:53 a.m.