Yes, because New York really was ravaged by a giant ape that lived on an undiscovered skull-shaped island with dinosaurs and primitive tribesmen, and who just happened to "fall in love" with a human woman. Very real. Dragons are not real, but they are so not real that it makes it acceptable. Huge gorillas... half real, half not real... I find that insulting (gorillas, by the way, also do not count as monkeys).
As for accusations that dragons are aggresive, monkeys are some of the most aggresive species on the planet. And, if we're delving into fiction, have none of you monkey-lovers ever seen films such as 28 Days Later and Outbreak? Both revolve around a deadly virus, and in both the virus carriers are... yes, you guessed it... monkeys! Dragons may be destructive at times, but at least they have never been identified as the cause of plagues with the potential to wipe out the entire human race. Do we really want something with such a deadly identity representing the world of writing?
Also, monkeys, as far as we can tell, are neither particularly "cute/gentle" or intelligent. They are extremely territorial, again something that we don't wish to promote for the site. Dolphins are far more intelligent, and chimpanzees even more so, but, as chimpanzees do not come under the classification of monkey, they do not count.
Dragons are widely considered noble, wise, intelligent, and have been an inspiration to many. So... VOTE DRAGON!!
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