Cops: Pet ferrets chew off newborn girl’s nose, part of her cheek while mother is upstairs
Authorities near Philadelphia say a trio of pet ferrets mauled a newborn who was left downstairs in her car seat, chewing off the baby's nose and part of her cheek and lip.
Officials say the month-old baby was attacked Thursday afternoon by ferrets that escaped from a cloth cage while the girl's mother went upstairs and her father was sleeping. Authorities say the baby was in stable condition in intensive care Friday after emergency reconstructive surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Police say four other young children have been placed with relatives amid concerns about their parents' ability to care for them.
"The parents, I believe, have problems," Darby Borough Police Chief Robert Smythe told the Delaware County Daily Times. "They are challenged. They can't take care of these kids."
The ferrets scampered away when the mother came downstairs after hearing the baby's screams, Smythe said.
According to the website of the American Ferret Association, a healthy, a well-trained ferret shouldn't bite but needs to be taught acceptable behaviors like any other pet. The association says that ferrets and kids can play well together but that small children shouldn't be left alone with them or any other animal.
Smythe said investigators found more food for the family's ferrets and cats than for the children. Police have asked prosecutors to approve charges against the parents.
"Just imagine that 1-month-old baby, that can't help herself, (and) two or three animals are eating it alive," he said. "Imagine the pain."
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18 responses
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It says both parents not just the mother. They both should be held liable for child endagerment. God bless that baby.. common sense was all it would of took. People now adays just dont have that same sense anymore.
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Just remember thousands of ferrets are killed each day by both the fur and pet trade, some have their skin ripped off while fully conscious, and alive. It’s not the ferrets fault, but those who believe they deserve to live in cages as so called pets.
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people are so stupidgoogle ferret attacks on babies this happens a lot so why do people put babies with animalsall it takes is to turn your head forsplit second for shit to happen…….. so tell me why.take the chance.
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She ignored her babys cries. Clearly neglect on her part is my opinion. The father was asleep so he did not know what was happening.
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The mother must not have heard her or come right away if the ferrets had time to do that much damage!
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Dayle Morgan BrotenA rat is a rat and will always stay a rat….. Yes…. I agree…. after she heard the screams, she came down….. But, I do say that we all have left our Babies for a minute….. And the Mother didn’t know that the”FerretEscaped, until she saw it scamper away from the Baby…..”
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“the ferrets scampered away when the mother came downstairs after hearing the baby’s screams, Smythe said.”
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e ferrets scampered away when the mother came downstairs after hearing the baby’s screams, Smythe said.
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I feel for the whole family and again I say animals like this are not pets that’s the bigger concern. Doesn’t take long for 3 animals with teeth like that to cause damage glad the mom did hear the babys scream and came running before more damage was done.
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That is horrible.How can a mother not hear her child?If they had more food for ferrets & cats they don’t deserve to be parents.Give their children to a family waiting to adopt.
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Who would’ve thought? I’ve never heard of ferret’s attacking and eating children before. Ferrets and raccoons are not pets and should be banned ffs!
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This is so sad to here. Neglect for sure and the children and pets should be taken away. I own two ferrets and I can tell you if they are well cared for and trained this would never have happend. They for sure should have been in a proper cage where they can not get out on their own. They have such sharp nails and their scratches really sting. Once again so sad.
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How about, “Mother neglects child, therefore, animal bites off nose of baby” for a headline. ITS NOT ABOUT THE FERRETS. A cat, dog, rat, rabbit, or another child could have done this..
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