>From:    Jennifer Halbert <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: California Ferrets
 
Not a stupid question, just a stupid answer.
 
People like cats and dogs.  People have always had cats and dogs.  Sure,
they cause far more enviromental damage, but it doesn't matter, because
the majority of people like them.  It's like the alcohol/marijuana issues.
Sure, alcohol is far worse for you, and it kills millions in various ways,
but people like it, people have always had it, and they're not going to
stop now, regardless of the reasons.  Exactly the same with cats and dogs.
 
If a government/council/whatever tried to ban them, there would be *riots*,
and they know it.  That's why such action is not even considered.  I mean
hey, look at the situation here..  The DOC have a total of five kiwis
definatly killed by ferrets (and feral ones at that) while there are
hundreds of cases of them killed by cats, dogs and rats.  They son't have a
single documented case of a domestic ferret that has established itself in
the wild, let alone killed wildlife, yet not only hundreds of cats and dogs
establishing themselves ferally, but family pets, let out during the day,
who roam around happily killing wildlife then returning home at night for
some food.
 
But people like these pets.  But they don't care about ferrets, so they
support the banning of ferrets, since this is not a threat to them.
 
So thats what it comes down to.  People know full well the damage cats and
dogs do, to wildlife and people.  But that is a secondary concern, they
like them, so they should have them.  *shrugs*
 
- Reet
[Posted in FML issue 2971]