Anon writes:
>Has anyone contacted Fish & game regarding the conditions at this
>place and the size of their cages?

Fish and Game has NO control over ferrets in Ohio (as they shouldn't
since ferrets are neither fish nor game!) There are NO state
regulations AT ALL on ferret housing or care. (The only mention of
ferrets in state regs has to do with the prohibition of using them
in hunting.) General animal care regulations are minimal and vague.

Let me give you an idea of the lack of animal protection in the state:
A few years ago, a boy's dog wandered onto a neighbor's property. The
neighbor shot and killed the dog, claiming he was protecting his
property, though the dog posed no threat to humans or livestock.
Attempts to prosecute the man failed, because he BROKE NO LAWS!!

As a result of this incident, new laws were passed making it illegal
to intentionally harm any dog, cat or companion animal (defined as one
that lives in the home). Further strengthening of animal protection
laws in heavily agricultural Ohio will be a long, difficult road.

But whether or not Doug McKay and his family are doing anything
illegal, it is clear that the conditions on his farm are grossly
inhumane. Bringing that inhumanity to light may be the best avenue
for helping the ferrets.

And to the person who posted a few days asking why Michigan is doing so
much and where are the Ohio ferret people, let me assure you that many
of us are doing a great deal.

Linda Iroff

[Posted in FML 5542]