Ferrets are the trendy exotic pets of the 1980s. Members of the weasel family, they are described as cute, clean, furry and lovable by the 3.2 million Americans who own an estimated 8 million of them.
But they also are considered unpredictable, destructive, aggressive, neurotic and dangerous by a growing number of wildlife specialists, veterinarians and medical experts who believe that ferrets have no place in the home and want to prohibit them as pets.
A demonstrably unlovable pet ferret attacked a sleeping 6-month-old girl in West Palm Beach Thursday, apparently slithering under a closed door to bite the baby over her entire body with its needle-like teeth. The ferret was killed by a neighbor and the baby, which may require cosmetic surgery, is in stable condition in a hospital.
First domesticated 3,000 years ago, ferrets have long been used in Europe to hunt rabbits and rodents. They were popularized as pets by a forgettable mid- 1980s movie named The Beastmaster in which two playful and fearless ferrets continually rescued the hero from dire situations. Because they are small (12- to-16 inches long), silent, relatively clean and independent, ferrets are popular with Yuppies and condominium residents. They sell for from $80 to $500 at pet stores.
But the American Veterinary Medical Association, National Centers for Disease Control and National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians recently have joined some wildlife experts in calling for a prohibition against keeping ferrets as pets. Alaska, California, Michigan and South Carolina have banned ownership of ferrets on the grounds that they are wild animals. New York state and New York City have rigid permitting processes and Carson City, Nev., prohibits anyone with a child under 3 from owning a ferret.
In Florida, however, ferrets are unregulated. Unlike skunks and raccoons, which require a permit from the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission before purchase can be completed, ferrets are considered domesticated animals, like dogs and cats.
“Ferrets shouldn’t be household pets,” said Rick Collord, executive director of the Humane Society of Broward County. “They are semi-wild animals.” Lt. John West of the Game Commission agrees. “I don’t recommend them as pets,” he said. “They’re too unpredictable.”
It’s too late to spare little Brittany Myers the physical and psychological trauma of a ferret attack, but there is ample evidence that Florida needs to take a closer look at its pet ownership regulations. At the least, ferrets should be subject to the same permitting requirements as skunks, raccoons and squirrels.
