My husband wrote to defend the ferrets from that horrible outdated bulletin here is his e-mail & their response:--- -----Original Message----- From: CLIFF TRIBBEY To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu Jun 16 05:18:10 2005 Subject: bulletin no. 9--ferrets To the Health and Human Services Commisioner: I have just read your bulletin. This is so full of partial truths and outright fabrication I don't know where to begin. My wife and I have had 9 ferrets over the years. Admittedly, one was a problem biter (most likely due to trauma as a baby). The others have ALL been sweet, lovable pets. If you bothered to take the time to talk to ferret owners, you'd find most ferrets are wonderful animals, WHEN they are treated correctly. By the way, compare how many people are mauled and killed by dogs, as opposed to ferrets. But dogs are perfectly legal. Pretty silly laws, if you want the truth. REmove this bulletin immediately, if you're interested in portraying the truth. signed, Clifford Tribbey, A proud ferret owner [---- Their response ----] Dear Mr. Tribbey, Thank you for your email of June 16. Commissioner Gilbertson referred your question, regarding Epidemiology Bulletin #9, June 6, 1986, "Ferrets -- A New Menace to Health," to me to answer. The Bulletin you refer to is a Bulletin issued in 1986 and, as you point out, is not up to date. We are discussing how to best address Epidemiology Bulletins that were current at the time of publication but are no longer current. Thank you for pointing out this one as an example of a Bulletin needing to either be updated or withdrawn. Our past policy has been to keep all Bulletins available on the website. Due to the questions raised by you and others about this Bulletin, we are readdressing our policy. Sincerely, Louisa Louisa Castrodale, DVM, MPH, Dipl ACVPM Section of Epidemiology Alaska Division of Public Health 3601 C Street, Suite 540 P.O. Box 240249 Anchorage, AK 99524-0249 ph. (907) 269-8002 fax (907) 562-7802 [Posted in FML issue 4916]