Should New York lift its ban on having a ferret as a domestic pet?
New York, California, and Hawaii are the only states that ban having a ferret as a pet. They are related to weasels, minks, badgers, otters, and are considered docile.
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Aren't I cute? |
The theory for banning ferrets is that they have a tendency to bite making it dangerous for it to be around children.
According to the NYC Dept of Health, Office of External Affairs,
“Ferrets are known for their unpredictable behavior, and they are prone to vicious, unprovoked attacks on humans. Ferret attacks reported nati?onwide over time have become notorious for their severity and capriciousness, causing serious injuries to some infants and young children in particular... In New York City's multiple dwelling residences, which are not natural habitats of ferrets, a ferret could crawl through holes in walls or travel along risers or ducts to other apartments, with potentially tragic consequences for the neighbor of a ferret owner."
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Would this face bite someone? |
This of course makes little sense because the same could be said about dogs, cats, even parrots. Children need to be supervised around animals. They need to be taught to be respectful and not taunt animals.
Ferrets are related to badgers and weasels who will burrow into small spaces in search of prey. They can dig under fences and escape so owners should take measures to prevent that if they let their ferret in a yard.
If the ban should be lifted, vaccinations for rabies and distemper would be required as they are for dogs.