The de Blasio administration is considering overturning a 15-year-old ban on some New Yorkers’ favorite furry creatures: ferrets.
The ban on the weasels could be overturned after the Health Department said they pose no serious risk to the public, given the advances in vaccines over the years.
The ferret ban, implemented in 1999, needs the full Board of Health to vote on it in September before it could be overturned.
“There will be a public hearing and comment period, which the board will consider before it votes on whether to legalize ferrets or not, ” the DOH said.
The Department of Health said that it recently received a petition to amend the ferret-code law.
City Hall sources said Mayor de Blasio is not actively advocating to overturn the ban but is willing to consider it if the board sees no problems.
In an internal memo, city health officials detailed the advantages and pitfalls of keeping the cuddly creatures as pets.
“Evidence shows ferrets do not bite more frequently or severely than other pets the same size,” one bullet point read.
However, another noted, “There may be injuries, especially to infants.”