JUDGE BRAUN GRANTS TEMPORARY INJUNCTION:
 
On Monday April 17th 2000, NY State Supreme Court Judge Richard Braun
granted ferret-owners' motion for a temporary injunction prohibiting the
City from enforcing its ferret ban.  This injunction will remain in effect
for at least a month and possibly longer pending the outcome of upcoming
events.
 
The Judge also invited the City to file additional papers in support of
its cross-motion to dismiss which presumably will involve explaining their
rational basis for banning ferrets.  Once the additional papers have been
submitted, Irving Heisler (the lawyer for the ferret-owners) will have an
opportunity to file a rebuttal.  The deadline for both sides to file their
additional information is in early May.
 
Although the temporary injunction means that for now New York City ferret
owners can breathe a bit easier knowing that their ferrets are safe from
confiscation, bear in mind that the injunction is temporary.  I would still
advise discretion with regards to letting the world know you have ferrets
living with you until the final outcome of the lawsuit.
 
As Gary Kaskel put it: "We've won the first battle.  Now on to win the war!"
[Posted in FML issue 3028]