Although attacks by dogs account for more reported injuries and deaths than do ferret attacks, the risk posed by ferrets cannot be adequately compared to dogs until reliable animal population data are available and animal bites are more accurately reported. The fact that more dog than ferret bites are reported is likely a reflection of the larger dog population and the tendency for bigger animals to inflict wounds that require medical care. There are several characteristics of attacks by ferrets that are of particular public health concern.
Many ferret attacks involve infants and small children who are sleeping or lying down.
Ferrets have climbed into cribs and inflicted hundreds of disfiguring bites on defenseless infants. In contrast, dogs usually bite when their territory has been invaded, they perceive competition for food or attention, or they view a running or screaming child as prey. Public health officials believe that more objective data are needed on the risk factors that lead to injuries from ferrets so that specific preventive strategies can be recommended. Until such data are available the safest approach is to restrict ferrets from households that have infants or small children. For the purposes of rabies control, ferrets that bite people cannot be managed in the same way as dogs and cats.