The compendium went into effect in January of '98 granting ferrets a
quarantine.  Up to that time any ferret that was involved in a bite or
scratch incident was automatically put down and tested for rabies.  In
June of '98, Annie entered our shelter.  She had just come out of her
quarantine.  Why?  She had crawled into a bassinet, that was left on a
dresser in the bedroom unattended, and bit the infants hands.  The owners
not wanting her destroyed, brought her here.The mother said that Annie had
never been a biter and that she would follow her everywhere.  When the baby
entered their life, Annie changed.  Jealousy?
 
Questions concerning this attack: Were the ferrets taught to come with a
squeaky?  Did the baby crying cause them to come running and its continued
crying cause them to go to the source?  Some ferrets hate the sound of a
squeaky.  Maybe they were trying to get the noise to stop.  Remember-the
mother was asleep.  Were the owners of the ferrets given the life and death
option?  Were the shots up to date?
 
It goes without saying that both of these episodes could have been avoided
if only the parent would have stopped to think about what they were doing.
You NEVER leave a young child alone with ANY animal.
 
Just my $.02.
 
Mary
 
http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=6431&mid=87568
http://www.mkaresq.com
[Posted in FML issue 3100]