On May 29th, a shelter owner in North Arlington, NJ, Matthew Rosetti, was
showing adoptable ferrets to a prospective new owner.  The person looking to
adopt a ferret had a fourth month old kit.  This person was allegedly bitten
by the ferrets (Reports on this vary from having been bitten and having
broken skin by all three, to having been nipped with no broken skin by one).
He never mentioned this to Matt, and in fact left saying he would decide
which ferret he wanted and return in a day or two to take one home.
 
A couple of days later, Matt was suprised to hear that this person had
contacted the State Health Dept. and filed an incident report, feeling that
he might have contracted the rabies virus.  Two of the three ferrets had
been vaccinated.  The State DoH told him that the chances of contracting
rabies were minor enough that they felt there was no need to test the animal
for rabies.  The person then went to the local court, where the judge agreed
with the State DoH.  He refused to issue an order for destruction.  Then the
person got an attorney.  He took the matter to the Appellate Division, where
the Appellate Court ruled in favor of testing the animals.  Not just the
one- BUT ALL THREE!!!
 
An appeal has been made to Christine Todd Whitman, Governer of the State of
NJ.  No response has been made by her office.  Please help.  Please fax
letters of support for these little ferrets.  Gov. Whitmans fax is (609)
777-0331, 984-6886, 292-3454, and 292-0852.  You can also contact the
Secretary of State- Lonna R. Hooks at (609)777-0884 or fax (609) 292-9897.
Len Fishman, the Commissioner of Health is at (609)292-7837 or fax (609)
984-5474.
 
Thank you for your help- it is imperative that you act immediately- these
freets are due to be destroyed Monday 6/10.
 
-Mrs. Duck
[Posted in FML issue 1596]