ferrets theft a mystery problem in England

Ferrets, the long furry animals used to hunt rabbits in England, are now simply vanishing out of stores. Someone is stealing them all over the country but nobody knows who is stealing them, or why. They are simply vanishing out of their cages.

Mr. Jenkins, a professional pest remover who uses ferrets to attend to rabbit problems, says that there are “lots of theories” pertaining to the vanishing of the animals. Some believe that ferrets are being abducted and used as a part of secret drug research. Others think that there is a kind of secret and illegal underground pet trade.

Mr. Jenkins business partner, James Bradley, thinks that organized criminals are behind it. Bradley alleges that the ferret thieves are part of an illicit animal trade and says, “These people are linked to badger baiting, dog fighting, and worse.”

Mr. Jenkins had 27 ferrets stolen from him last February in a crime that is still unresolved. Mr. Bradley is not alone in this experience. Many people have had ferrets vanish. Bradley states that thieves are stealing ferrets wherever they can find them and using pillowcases to haul them away. The ferret thieves are leaving other valuables, mysteriously, untouched.

On The Web:
In Mystery, Ferret Thefts Sweep Southern England
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304361604579290013495981126