in response to claire's post. i hadn't read it before posting my
earlier response...

the mckay thing was a farm situation - the animals he had (ferrets
and mink) were stock. the laws/regulations with regard to raising and
housing stock are much different than those that apply to companion
animals in the home or those that apply to shelters. in fact, if i
have my knowledge correct, he answered to the usda, not the state of
ohio. (which doesn't say much for the fed...).

even without that factor considered, the basic laws in ohio are much
more lax - in general, for all three types of situations. so, that
situation would have been allowed to continue even without him losing
his license (which did happen).

without having further information about the particulars of this case
in virginia, i'd say the laws there are much more strict. ie, leave
less room for lieniency and/or for working with the person to resolve
the problems that exist. or it was just so untenable that they didn't
make any effort other than for her to sign them over immediately and
remove them.

joclyn

[Posted in FML 5870]