Richmond Ferret Rescue League wrote:
>Hi there! I just wanted to throw is my comment - ferrets are not wild. The
>Black Footed Ferret is, true, but the domesticated (hints the name -
>domesticated) ferret is NOT wild. They have been domesticated as long, if
>not longer than the cat. They are tame - as tame as their species will get.
>Thats just my 3 cents.    Jammy Blackburn
 
THe term wild does in fact apply to the ferret, and also the house cat.
If your dog bites someone, you are liable for damages and a lawsuit where
a dog pet is not a wild animal, is truly domesticated and owned and
controlled by it's owner.  If your cat, or ferret bites, tuff shit; you
cannot be sued where they are not real or chattel property and cannot be so
controlled or trained by any entity.  It (they) is wild in the eyes of the
law.  ANd that is the context I presented.  It is a legal construct and not
to infer in any definition ferral or otherwise unattended lifestyle.  A
Ferret is a wild animal.  A house cat is a wild animal.  I am a wild animal
where I also fail to fall into those definitions.  Oh, you also are a wild
animal!  You cannot be owned, thanks to President Lincoln!  Ha!  Put that
in your mashed potatoes!
[Posted in FML issue 2854]