Pantagraph.com | Letters | Pass state law to allow domestic pet skunks

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Jessie wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:44 PM:

" I do sympathize with the people wanting to keep a skunk as a pet. I have never heard anything horrible about the keeping of a pet skunk from people who have owned them.

The main concern is that of rabies, and if there is now a vaccine to prevent rabies, then stringent laws regarding vaccination protocols is all that should be needed. That and maybe a permit to legally keep them so animal control knows where legal skunks are, and that they have legitimately seen a vet and been vaccinated.

Good luck to all of you who are involved changing the laws. "

Dom wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:36 PM:

" Hey Zeva, Skunks were the first domesticated companion animal in the USA. Look up writings by Christopher Columbus. Then research your other "real domestic pets" I understand your position on wildlife, but your information is historically inacurate. I will work on getting a life, if you work on finding facts before using bad information to insult good people and animals. "

Chuckles wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:05 AM:

" What do we need this type of law for when we already have plenty serving terms in the General Assembly and Governors office? "

gassed off! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:19 PM:

" They make great pets. Love to cuddle next to their master like a cat. they can be trained to use litter box. An industry waiting to happen, lawful tame skunk pets. "

dwarf wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:52 PM:

" Huh. The Pantagraph must have run low on pro-choice/anti-choice letters... "

I've heard.... wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:07 PM:

" .....they taste just like chicken! "

Spooky wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:00 PM:

" I can't help but ask WHY? "

gimme a break wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:54 AM:

" i agree with the politician remarks...they're big skunks....but back to the issue at hand....wait? what was it again? oh yeah...domesticated skunks. i'm thinking a nice stripped skunk tail hat would look ravishing with my alligator boots, whale fat lipstick, and abused dead mink coat! PETA!! save the skunks!! "

Yee-hicup-haaaa! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Wow! I'ma gonna git me one-a them thar damastickated skunks, and weel jis' see what they think about THAT! It'll be pretty coo-hic-ooool! "

W wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:38 AM:

" I think they're cute with the white stripe and all. "

Ken wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:48 AM:

" Like our law makers don't have more important issues to deal with, like the economy! I think your idea, stinks. "

Sparky wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:32 AM:

" My dogs breath smells worse than any skunk you could ever find. "

I mistakenly turned down this road... wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:37 AM:

" ...thinking there was a story here! "

To: Zeva wrote on Feb 14, 2008 5:20 AM:

" Zeva, what do you think dogs and cats were at one point? Domesticated dogs and cats didn't just spontaneously pop up with humans. Early humans learned to tame and train these animals to hunt for them. Just because something is traditionally a wild animal, doesn't mean they can't be domesticated. "

In Japan wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:44 AM:

" Miller Park Zoo used to have a domesticated skunk, but they wouldn't let the public touch him because if he bit someone, he'd have to be killed to check for rabies. I held him once and he was like a big, musky cat. "

I love skunks wrote on Feb 13, 2008 10:30 PM:

" I've met someone with a pet skunk, which was orphaned. Baby skunks can easily be domesticated. They make loving, wonderful pets, and they are very intelligent. They are a bit mischievous, however, and can learn to open refrigerators and cabinets. Like certain dog & cat breeds, they need to be kept mentally stimulated and they like human attention, so you need to be prepared or you will have an ornery animal on your hands. I'm not sure I'm in favor of breeding skunks as house pets, but if I ever came across an orphaned skunk, I would not be adverse to raising it as a house pet. It's sad to see so many people being rude to the letter writer. Surely you've had an idea other didn't understand or agree with at some point in your lives? "

Pet Skunks wrote on Feb 13, 2008 9:10 PM:

" It has been many years since I have seen a pet skunk but as I recall they are not a whole lot different from cats when they have been neutered and the oil gland removed. So why not just get a cat? Yes, they may be a bit exotic but why must you have a pet that is mostly a fashion statement? "

Anchor wrote on Feb 13, 2008 3:48 PM:

" ...................I am at a loss for words...... "

GC wrote on Feb 13, 2008 3:47 PM:

" You've waited 16 years for this? "

What wrote on Feb 13, 2008 1:32 PM:

" I think there has already been to much inbreeding in Paxton now !! "

Lizzy wrote on Feb 13, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Ferrets are domesticated and "de-skunked" why not skunks too? "

What? wrote on Feb 13, 2008 12:21 PM:

" I honestly thought this was a joke! Why in the world would anyone want a pet skunk? "

Zeva wrote on Feb 13, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Skunks are a wild animal, so why would you want to take a wild animal and make a pet out of it? They belong in the wild doing what they do best, making a perfume to be left alone. I'm sick of people trying to take a wild animal and domesticate it! Don't you have enough animals you can make a pet out of? People haul pot belly pigs in the house, why, they are not house pets! These animals are happier in the wild and not in your house. How would you like to be dumped in the wild and raised by wild animals? Oh gee, you think that would never happen, wrong, look at the countries that have people trying to survive in the wild. Leave the wild animals alone and find a real domesticated pet!!!! Or is it you don't get enough attention by having one of them and a wild animal gives you the attention you feel you need. Get a life!!!! "

G wrote on Feb 13, 2008 9:00 AM:

" This issue Stinks! "

??Why?? wrote on Feb 13, 2008 7:50 AM:

" Who care's? Why would they even put this in the paper? "

? Confused ? wrote on Feb 13, 2008 7:47 AM:

" I don't even know what to comment on this letter? Maybe we should legalize the selling of you? Course we would not let you breed. "

Fatso wrote on Feb 13, 2008 7:05 AM:

" Finally an issue we can 'sink our teeth' into. Right on there, Ken. Although we already have a law allowing pet skunks. They're called politicians. That's a much nicer word. "

stinky wrote on Feb 13, 2008 6:21 AM:

" YES! Skunks rule. They're great pets, better than cats. "

Harv wrote on Feb 13, 2008 5:30 AM:

" And there are a LOT of NICE people in Paxton to..really there is. "

william wrote on Feb 13, 2008 5:00 AM:

" We have legal pet skunks, they are called Politicians. "

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