OLDHAM ferret fanciers have joined a local Euro MP in slamming Portugal for not allowing British owners to take their furry pets into the country.

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies was shocked to learn that the Portuguese do not consider ferrets to be domestic pets. If owners do not have a permit their ferrets could be seized and killed.

This is despite the fact that the EU pets passport scheme also applies to ferrets.

This week Mr Davies failed in a bid to force the Portuguese Government to give their country’s ferret fanciers the same rights as other EU countries.

And Oldham ferret lovers have joined Mr Davies in their dismay.

Rod Smith works at animal rescue charity, Pennine Pen and is landlord of the Dog and Duck.

He said: "I think it’s pathetic. Ferrets make great pets I don’t know what the Portuguese have against them. I kept them for years and we sometimes hold charity ferret races at the Dog and Duck.

Abandoned

"They are just like having a cat or small dog. Once they are neutered they are fine, even with children."

Pennine Pen, based on Ashton Road, Hathershaw, have looked after many abandoned ferrets in the past and even had one posted through their letter box.

Mr Davies initially took up the case after reading a letter from a distraught Portuguese ferret owner, who keeps his animals in secret.

He wrote: "We still live in the shadows and every time I see a police car parked near my house I think, this is it, they are coming for my ferrets."

This week the European Parliament upheld Portugal’s right to ban ferrets being kept as pets.

Mr Davies described the ruling a massive blow to Portuguese owners.

He added: "If there was any scientific justification for banning the keeping of ferrets other countries would have done the same long ago."

Ruth Corbett, of the North West animal rescue charity Ferrets in Need, said: "I visited Lisbon a few years ago on business and thought that Portugal was a place where I would really like to live, but with 14 ferrety friends that would be impossible."

The Pet Passport scheme builds on British practice to end quarantine arrangements across Europe for pets that have been vaccinated against rabies.