The State of Illinois has done it again! Dr. David R.Bromwell, Chief Veterinarian of the Bureau of Animal Welfare under the Illinois Department of Agriculture passed Mr. Rick Robbins' premises inspection on Monday, August 25, 1997. Dr. Bromwell passed the inspection even though, as he stated to Howard Davis, LIFE's humane affairs coordinator, in their phone conversation today, that the conditions the ferrets are kept in, "aren't up to the standards for cats and dogs." I'm sorry, people, this makes me very, very angry! The state of Illinois is looking upon ferrets as second-class citizens again. It's time we educate them! The following are the main points from the conversation between Dr. Bromwell and Howard Davis: (items in quote marks are DIRECT quotes made by Dr. Bromwell) ******* Dr. Bromwell said that one of his field inspectors went out to the Robbins premises last Thursday (Aug. 21) to investigate a complaint. He said that his inspector told him "it's a damn dump - there's crap all over the place." He said that the inspector opted to give him a notice of violation even though he did not actually see any animals sick. Because the notice of violation alleged improper care of the animals, Robbins was required to produce a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian that the animals were receiving proper care. Robbins was given until Monday Aug. 25 to clean up and be reinspected. Bromwell said that he has it in his authority to shut the breeder down and impound all the animals. (Bromwell says he has done this in the past to breeders - once impounding 50 horses.) When the inspector returned on Monday, he found, according to Bromwell, that Robbins had "got rid of some of the fecal matter." Bromwell noted "there's nothing in the statute that says how much fecal matter is allowed." The inspector also found Robbins' veterinarian there at the same time. The veterinarian's name is Dr. Michael H. Firsching of Edwardsville. Dr. Firsching's phone number of 618-656-9525, according to Bromwell. Dr. Firsching signed a certificate saying the animals were all receiving proper care, according to Bromwell. Bromwell said he saw no conflict of interest or impropriety in having the breeder's own veterinarian attest to the proper care of the animals, since as a veterinarian he's responsible to the veterinary licensing board for what he says. Dr. Bromwell said only "78 or 79 ferrets" were counted, and fewer than 50 pot-bellied pigs.. He said he does not know what happened to the others, but "there was no evidence" any animals had died (whatever that means). Bromwell said: "Let's be honest, the cages were rusty, they weren't like we would expect for dogs and cats - but these are ferrets." Bromwell said that according to his inspector the cages for the ferrets were "18 inches to 2 feet", and that "no more than 2 ferrets were in any cage." According to Bromwell, a similar complaint was filed against Robbins a year ago, and the conditions of the pot-bellied pigs were so bad at that time that Robbins was required to have all of his pigs tested for several diseases to which swine are susceptible. Bromwell said his field inspector would be submitting a written report on the results of his inspection. I asked him directly if he would let me see the report. He said, "No, you'll have to get that through the Freedom of Information Act." Bromwell said the Illinois licensing procedure for commercial breeders is handled only by Department of Natural Resources and is strictly a "tax measure - you pay your $20, you get your license. There's no insection." His bureau's only jurisdiction is "enforcement of animal welfare." ************ I beg all people owned by these wonderful creatures to get busy faxing, phoning, writing Governor Jim Edgar and Becky Doyle, Director of the Department of Agriculture letting them know that the eyes of the ferret community across the nation are on them and that we want fair and equal treatment for these ferrets. Request that Dr. Bromwell reopen the case against Mr. Rick Robbins. And also that Mr. Robbins should have to account for the missing ferrets. If they are deceased, what did they die of? I believe it's time for the State of Illinois to hone up to this travesty. Well, what are you waiting for -- get those fingers going, push that button and send those faxes! The Director of the Department of Agriculture Becky Doyle 217-785-4505 (Fax). Governor Jim Edgar 217-782-0244 (Voice), 217-524-4049 (Fax), [log in to unmask] (Email), & http://www.state.il.us/ (Website) Ferret hugs, Kathy Fritz Director, The Ferret Nook [Posted in FML issue 2047]