Clearifications on yesterdays post:
The city of Beaumont, Texas is not and never has been, a "ferret free
zone".  There is no written law or any record to that effect.  Mustela
Putorius Furo, aka the domestic ferret is classified by the Texas
Department of Health, Zoonosis Control Department Rules chapter 169.22 and
the Department of Parks and Wildlife codes 70.1a as "a domestic animal".
The power to define animal classification rests in the Legislature and is
enforced by TDP&W.  Public and Animal Health rules are the responsibility
of TDH.  There is no provision in the state laws that allows any
juristiction to reclassify the taxonomy of any animal.
 
Ignorance, Arrogace and Power ruled all ferret matters in Beaumont untill
last April, when one person, charged with three counts of "possession of a
wild animal", said, "No more!".  She appeared in court and explained that
ferrets were domestic pets and that there is no ban on domestic ferrets in
Beaumont.  She pleaded "Not Guilty" and was reassigned a new court date.
She asked The San Antonio area Ferret Enthusiasts (SAFE) for help, and we
responded.  Mrs. Sharon Steckler, a great lawyer from Houston was obtained
by SAFE to defend this pet owner and a court date with a "trial by jury"
was set.  A Beaumont area, ferret friendly Veterinarian and myself were
subpeoned by the court to present evidence in this case.  There was never
any evidence of any "wild" domestic ferrets presented to the court by the
prosecuting attorney or the animal control supervisor; just "their say and
hear say"!  The local Veterinarian had gathered all the City and County
bite and rabies stats and had state and national stats at the ready.  I
gave information on the history of ferret domestication, state and federal
classification, state and national rabies rules and recommendations.  The
"natural habitat" of domestic ferrets was demonstrated to be the homes of
their human owners.  Photos of pet ferrets playing and interacting with
dogs, cats, small children, middle aged and elderly persons were introduced
as evidence, and were a hit with the jury.  They loved the one of the Sable
ferrets in Santas' white beard.  In closing arguements, the prosecuter
warned the jury; "If you acquit this woman, you will legalize these weasles
and the blood of the infants they maul and mutilate will be on your
hands!".  Sound familiar to anyone in California?  The jury deliberated
less than ten minutes and unanimously acquited the ferret owner on all
three counts against her.  Domestic ferrets ARE legal pets in Beaumont as
decreed by Texas State rules and laws and as proven and ruled in a court of
law, by and for the people of Texas.  The Republic of Texas is still a
Democracy.  FERRETS: Special Pets for Special People!
 
 
Special "Thanks" to Mr. Randy Sellers (my mentor), to Mrs. Sharon Steckler
(our wonderful attorney), and to the members of the jury who listened to
science and law over hysteria and rhetoric.   Thank you SAFE Board Officers
and members, for providing legal assistance for this pet owner.
 
Rick White, Dir., SAFE
[Posted in FML issue 2502]