Date Released: 03/12/2007
Fast Pitch Press Release
Ohio – For over ten years ferret owners, shelters and pet lovers in general have been working to close down a breeder in Marengo, Ohio.
“We have gone through proper channels for years. Animal Control, Health Department, USDA. And for years we get no where.” States Jean Caputo-Lee from Ferret Shelter. “This last time that the Health Department was at the farm, the owner was told to clean up the ankle deep piles of feces in the spring, they couldn’t have walked the farm very long or very far, there are dead animals, there always is dead animals. Breeding season is upon us; the situation is going to get worse, you will see dead babies on the ground just about everywhere. I have seen it. I never could get pictures, those who knew what it was like never wanted to go back again.”
When asked about the USDA, Caputo-Lee says grimly, “To quote a USDA Officer, “I like the way you care about animals so much but just like ********** told you in his e-mail if these mink are sold for fur you need to contact animal control, DNR or the county health dept.” “ They weren’t contacted about the mink, although they need help too, we have receipts showing he sells to individuals, and breeders. Cash and he doesn’t put his name on them. Great way to dodge the IRS.”
We must determine what type of activity is being conducted before we can pursue any type of action. I hope you understand that we must have proper jurisdiction.
We must determine what type of activity is being conducted before we can pursue any type of action. I hope you understand that we must have proper jurisdiction!
Thanks to a group of concerned ferret owners and a rescue organization from Michigan, MFRAN (Michigan Ferret Rescue Network, www.mfran.org) and some clever thinking. Pictures were able to be taken. Those pictures can be seen on popular internet sites like MySpace, YouTube, in the news blog on Fox8Cleveland.com, MFRAN’s web site.
Lora Blaisdell, Michigan Ferret Rescue, www.miferretrescue.org, was the genius behind getting the camera in. Lora states “I took pictures as we approached the place, I couldn’t go in. But we had one brave soul that pulled off getting those pictures.” When asked about legal prosecution, Blaisdell replies “We were told that the judge that would hear this case couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters.”
Kris Mewton of MFRAN states, “These atrocities must be ended. We have proof that he is selling the ferrets, we have pictures and still the government of Ohio turns a deaf ear, it is time to ask the media to help end the suffering of these animals”
“Formal complaints have been filed, I have done that myself. He had a USDA license in 1996; kits were brought up here to sell in local pet stores and 650 that I know of, two of them had distemper. I personally know of two and have people willing to confirm that. One with vet intervention. She still has the records. All the kits were returned except the two with distemper, they died. He lost his UDSA license. What does that tell you? Does he have his wild life/fur bearers’ permit? I don’t know. I can’t get that answer.” States a frustrated Caputo-Lee.
“We (MFRAN, Michigan Ferret Rescue, Ferrets Unlimited, and members of the ferret community) are determined to get this place shut down. No animal. NO ANIMAL should have to live like that. It is beyond disgusting.” States Mewton. “If we have to we will bombard the government officials, media, and humane societies until something is resolved. How long can you ignore this?? If Ohio won’t listen to people who live in their own state about this, it is time to spread the word world wide and help those in Ohio who want to see an end to this.”
For more information on this, feel free to contact: Jean Caputo-Lee, Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter, 216/749-3885 or 216-409-3849, www.ferretsunlimited.org , ferrets_unlimtited(at)sbcglobal.net
Kris Mewton, MFRAN, sirk1(at)comcast.net, 586/772-3958
About Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter
Non profit, no kill ferret shelter, Northern Ohio's only ferret shelter with 100 plus residentsw.
Submitted by Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter
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