Health Department Forms Folder 0065, 1999-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

212 964 0472 P.02iO3 DEC-15-2000 1T 08 THE NYC DEPT. OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH • OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

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NEAL L. COHen, M.O.

EL [xtxl7ee-net 125 WORTH STREET Ax (212) 964-0472 NEW YORK, NY 10019

December 15, 2000

TO: Honorable Joseph J. Lhota Deputy Mayor for Operations p [ Q t U d. 9 InI

From: Neal L. Cohen, M.D. till c00— 015-W DFc 182000 Commissioner DEPUTY MAYOR OPERATIONS

D...hihitinn of Ferrets in New York

because of a Department has historically regarded ferrets as wild animals The They arebanned Section number of public health and safety concerns. ownership wild underani als. 161b1 of the Health Code provision prohibiting public health concern was related to disease prevention. I e„9if in past years, a primary approved rabies vaccine for ferrets, and the "viral Until recently, there was no animal period" for tables in ferrets - that Is the period during which the -aal45 shedding concern has since been essentially 0. can transmit rabies — was unknown. That that for `01~~s^ mooted; the viral shedding period for ferrets Is now known to be similar to domestic ferret. dogs, and there now exists an approved rabies vaccine for the / to Injury prevention remain However, other public safety concerns related unresolved.

public safety concern is that ferrets, despite their popularity as The primary vicious, unpredictable attacks on household pets, remain curiously prone to those who are helpless. A Infants, young children and humans, particularly monographs, including a study In the number of epidemiological studies and California completed In 1987-88, show a pattern of such injuries. In State of be be changed to allow ferrets to orities considering whether the Health Code should Department contacted California sold and owned in New York City, the ownership because uthoems and was advised that it will continue to ban ferret posed i y feral ferret about child safety, as well as the potential dangers populations to native wildlife. H s `aG( alit' Soc,Tces rye 1kVe (5 A firs r

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