After reading April's note in the FML on Sunday, I had to see for myself
what this person had to say.  I was very angry, and decided to write a
letter myself.  Here is what I sent.  I'm afraid I may have gotten a bit
angry-sounding, which is not what I wanted, but I tried very hard to stick
to the facts.  I included as much info from the CDC's website as possible,
and I think I did an OK job.  Let me know what you guys think, and also,
the links to the CDC's website might be pretty informative to the rest of
you as well, and they make great ammunition.
 
To Whom it May Concern,
 
I am VERY disappointed in your article on mammalian bites.  I myself own
three ferrets, and have NEVER been bitten to the point of drawing blood,
yet my dog, a pure bred scotty, broke the skin a number of times as a
puppy.  Also, you specifically mention that ferrets can contract and
transmit rabies, though that fact is NOT specifically mentioned in the
dog and cat sections, though the CDC itself notes that more cases of rabies
in dogs and cats are reported in the US than any other domestic species!!
 
  "In 1997, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported
  8,509 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 4 cases in human beings to
  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Nearly 93% (7,899) were
  wild animals, whereas 7% (610) were domestic species.  The total number
  of reported cases increased 19.4% from that of 1996 (7,128 cases).
  Increases were apparent in each of the major species groups, with the
  exception of cattle.  The relative contributions of these groups to the
  total reported for 1997 were as follows: raccoons (50.5%; 4,300 cases),
  skunks (24.0%; 2,040), bats (11.3%; 958), foxes (5.3%; 448), cats (3.5%;
  300), dogs (1.5%; 126), and cattle (1.4%; 122)." (Rabies Surveillance in
  the United States in 1997- Center for Disease Control)
This quote can be found at:
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/Surveillance97/surv97.htm
On this page you will find that in 1997, 300 cases of rabid cats were
reported, 126 cases of rabid dogs, and only ONE confirmed case of
rabies in a ferret!!!
 
Also, read about rabies in "Human Disease Prevention" at:
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/ACIP/ACIP99.htm
On this page, please note that the CDC regards ferrets as a domestic
animal, ie, they are no longer considered terrestrial wildlife, but a
domestic species, many of which, mine included, do in fact get rabies
vaccinations!
 
See the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control in 1998:
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Professional/Compendium/compen98.htm
Please note in Part II, "Vaccines in the United States and NASPHV*
Recommendations," that RM IMRAB 3, Rhone Merieux, Inc., License #298,
an inactivated rabies vaccine, IS APPROVED FOR FERRETS BY THE CDC!!!
 
Also, you mention the specific number of people KILLED BY DOG BITES every
year, and yet never say that it is dangerous to keep them as pets, but you
never mention the number of people killed by ferret bites every year, but
pretend that they are dangerous?!?!?!?  I feel this article is obviously
biased and does not present adequate information to support the assumptions
made by the author.  Dogs and cats are beloved pets to many of us, and so
much of the danger in owning them can be overlooked, however, statistically
they are as dangerous, if not more, than the domestic ferret.  Your
portrayal of the domestic ferret as "dangerous," who "should not be kept
as pets" due to the inconstant data you list is misleading to the general
public, and a severe detriment to the welfare of those ferrets who are
owned as domestic pets in the United States!  For the good of said animals,
please reconsider your position concerning the domestic ferret.  I hope
the information I have provided helps you make a somewhat more informed
decision regarding this matter.
 
Melissa Barnes
[Posted in FML issue 2976]