FERT (Ferret Education and Research Trust) is saddened to hear in international news that an instance has occurred where an unsupervised ferret has reportedly attacked an infant.

Whilst these instances are thankfully rare, we would like to reiterate our opinion that ferrets are not animals / pets that can be left unsupervised with babies or children.

Whilst ferrets are predominantly communal and social animals they do require a high level of care and supervision. Instances where a ferret is left to wander or roam can result in injury to the ferret or potential damage to property if the ferret is not watched appropriately or their environment is not suited for them to play in.

It is also our belief that as the behaviour of a ferret can be different in all cases depending on the individual animal, ferrets do not make appropriate house pets for young children especially those whom are unable to respond to instances of potential aggression by the ferret either be it through defense, hunger or over exuberant play-time.

Whenever a ferret is unable to be fully supervised it should be returned to its secure, caged enclosure until sufficient time is available for you to give the animal the level of attention it requires.

Whilst the details of the incident have not been fully released, there could be a number of reasons as to why a domesticated animal such as a ferret could cause such damage to an infant.

The fingers of a baby may not be immediately recognisable as such to the animal or they may smell of milk / baby food. The ferret may have been hungry as it would appear the ferret in this instance was allowed to roam in an open environment where food or water may not have been available. It is also possible that the infant’s nappy or waste would attract a territorial animal to become defensive however this can only be surmised at this stage until further information is available.

Finally it is necessary to highlight this instance is very much an isolated incident and it is very rare for such cases to be reported. It is not just ferrets which should be supervised when in contact with children but all animals including dogs and cats.

This is a responsibility of any parent.