Pages

Friday, May 30, 2014

Does Anyone Want a Ferret?

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.



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."

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.

5 comments:

  1. They are adorable but I have seen too many of them turned over to shelters because people think they should be more like dogs. Also they bite. A lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I think they need to be kept in a cage. People also think they're like cats. They can't be cuddled like aa dog or cat. And, they smell.

      Delete
  2. Wow, never knew they were banned anywhere. They are cute to look at, but they smell. Mom had to sit by one a year ago and the odor almost made her ill. Can't have them around our house of hunters either. Not sure if a ban is necessary, but they are creatures not to be taken lightly. They are not like a simple hamster or something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw one first hand at BlogPaws. They look like weasels and I wouldn't own one.

      Delete
  3. They are special creatures. Every pet needs to be taken care with a different approach. They are not as dosile as a dog and they don't cuddle as a cat so we need to have this in mind if we are thinking on getting one as a pet.

    ReplyDelete