Health Department Forms Folder 0065, 1999-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

212 964 0472 P.03'03 DEC-15-2020 1708 THE NYC DEPT. OF HEALTH

-2 - December 15, 2000 Honorable Joseph J. Lhota in making the decision to continue We also reviewed a number of other sources 1999 to list prohibited animals. in the ban when the Health Code was amended Medical Association (AVMA) In 1998, a statement of the American Veterinary individual incapable of recommended that "no ferret be left unattended with any recent discussion of ferret bites in removing himself or herself from the ferret." A stresses that ferret attacks are "quite the Journal of Emergency Medicine (1998) vicious" and pose a "great" health risk to Infants and small an children. We also attack by a ferret in state who reported heard from a veterinarian in another had been confined to an escape- which an infant's eyelid was tom off. The ferret proof cage, yet managed to escape. relatively low In New York City. most likely The number of reported ferret bites is were 17 ferret bites reported, because ferrets are prohibited. In 1999, there 22-month old child who was bitten on the face by a ferret owned by including a family. So far In 2000, there have been 13 reported ferret bite, including a her and bitten on the head by a two-day old infant who was attacked in her crib neighbors ferret.

Department is concerned that the number of bites will escalate If ferrets are The like New York where many legalized, particularly In a densely populated City are notoriously difficult to Ferrets people live In multiple-dwelling residences. apartment to apartment without the contain. They can easily migrate from consequences for knowledge of the owner and with potentially tragic unsuspecting neighbors. York continue the ban on ferrets in New I am, therefore, recommending that we pending before the City Council to City, and oppose the proposed legislation legalize and regulate them.

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