History was made in Grimsby Magistrates Court when Ian Dickinson (18) was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 16 ferrets between 4th May and the 2nd June. Dickinson was given a one year conditional discharge, given a 3 year ban on keeping ferret-type animals and rodents, and was ordered to pay [UK#]150 costs. Veterinary surgeon Matthew Fry, was one of the witnesses for the prosecution. Matthew was the vet that was reported to the RCVS for carrying out a procedure for the treatment of ferrets with ear-mites as given in the BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets. The UK ferret world is very fortunate that Matthew did turn his back on ferrets and stop accepting ferrets as patients as a result. The person that complained to the RCVS did not know Matthew, or the owner of the ferrets who were being treated... Julie Stoodley was the NFWS expert witness. The report of the case carried in the Grimsby Telegraph can be found on the NFWS WebPages http://www.nfws.net just follow the link. -- Sheila Bolton Ferret Welfare Declaration Day Quote of the day from Vini Faal, "Alun Michael is to animal welfare what King Herod was to baby sitting". NFWS web site http://www.nfws.net updated 28th Nov 2004 Waiting at Rainbow Bridge:- Jill, Deanna Troi, Cameron, Carnath, Button, Bill, Bobby, Jasper, Inga, Holly, Fergle, Amanda, Sparky, Daniel, Blackie, Marvin, Claude, Bumper, Kurt, Tasha Yar, Larry, Lily, Ben, Fritz, Dax, Kelley, McCoy, Brock, Snowy, Dumpling, Buddy, Stumpy, Treacle, Max, Scrap, Vanessa, Sarek, Paw Paw, Badger, T.D, Spooky, Stanley, Tara, Oliver, Alfie, Sindy, Beano, Lulu, Scully, Brecon, Lady, Tuppence, Casanova, Beverly, Geordi La Forge, Piper, Phoenix, Tiberius & Twiggy. [Posted in FML issue 4711]