Chris Brown slammed as 'cruel' for buying daughter Royalty baby monkey in Instagram clip

Chris Brown has been panned by social media users after gifting his daughter Royalty a pet monkey.

The Loyalty singer, 28, – who shares his two-year-old daughter with friend Nia Guzman – is undoubtedly a doting father, but got it wrong in his fans' eyes with the latest present.

In a clip posted to his 41 million Instagram followers, Brown shows Royalty cuddling a baby monkey in a blanket. It appears to be wearing a nappy.

Brown's new pet caused anger among followers, who criticised the singer for being cruel.

One upset follower said: "Why? Why taking a little baby monkey away from it's mother? This is a wild animal! And why giving the wrong example to your followers/fans? Just one question-why? You must have known better! This breaks my heart! "

While another added: "You clearly have no heart (or brain) to do something so cruel to an animal! They belong in the wild! Rescue her a puppy she will be just as happy!"

A third claimed it was illegal to adopt such a pet, telling Brown: "Isnt it illegal animal wild life trade --USDA or FBI needs to enforce Wildlife laws!!"

Primates including monkeys may indeed be illegal to keep as pets depending on where you live. If a monkey is legal to own in your area, permits may be required – which is hopefully something Brown has sorted out.

Other fans of the star defended him, with one person claiming: "what would you suggest?? A snake.. stop hating".

As another said: "you're just jealous".

Brown's career has been plagued with controversies via his personal life, receiving worldwide media attention in 2009 for pleading guilty to felony assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

In February of this year, his most recent ex-partner Karrueche Tran granted a temporary 100-yard restraining order against Brown, and eventually a five-year restraining order against him after she claimed he threatened to kill her. He was also involved in a scuffle with fellow artist Drake in a nightclub in 2012, and voluntarily decided to enter rehab in October 2013.