Claire, I think that was a different case. This one had to take place at least 15-20 years ago as the girl, Michelle, is already an adult. I tried to find more info about this situation online, but I had a hard time. I DID find several mentions of an article that claims a ferret chewed off a baby's fingers or toes but I never found the exact article. I did become even more angry however, when I saw many of the comments about how ferrets are awful creatures, stinky and disgusting....blah blah blah. What kills me is that people vilify ferrets because they're not "as good as dogs and cats" and act like it's a huge deal because they were bit by a ferret as a kid. (They probably deserved it!) But when someone gets bit by a dog - as long as it's not a bad bite - people act like it's ok because the kid probably provoked the dog. Um, isn't it possible that the kid provoked the ferret as well? Ferrets aren't the type of animal that just goes around looking for a reason to bite someone. Mine only nip when you're ignoring them or if you provoke them. For instance, my Benny HATES it when you scratch his tummy - I don't know why, he just does. My husband knows this, yet he still does it and get's nipped every time! When my husband gets upset after getting bitten, I always have to remind him that it's his own fault for scratching the tummy. Even in the case of the sleeping baby - I doubt the baby provoked the ferret - but the ferret would have to be severely neglected to ever think that eating a baby's fingers, toes, or face would be a good idea. And the parents are incredibly ignorant and idiotic to leave their sleeping child alone in the same room where ANY animal is roaming free. I know my dog or my ferrets would never do this to my daughter or any future babies I may have - BUT I would still never leave them alone together! I mean, seriously people, use some common sense! It just sucks that the poor ferrets have become the villains here - because ignorant people don't properly care for them and don't supervise their child's interactions with their pets. Melissa [Posted in FML 6489]