Ferret at centre of custody battle

Six people have claimed ownership of animal found in a backyard last week.

A ferret found roaming in a Clovis backyard last week may end up in the city's Hillcrest Park Zoo if any of the six people who have claimed ownership can't prove it.

"In lieu of maybe choosing the wrong person as the owner, I'll put it in the zoo and people can go visit it," Clovis Police Lt. Jim Schoeffel, who heads the animal control division, said.



The 1-pound, foot-long female white ferret was found April 21, and none of the six people who came forward last week had any documentation or proof of ownership, Animal Control Officer Martin Martinez said.

Schoeffel acknowledged that it's a difficult situation, and he said that just because six different people have claimed ownership, it doesn't mean someone's lying.

Meanwhile, several people have expressed their interest in adopting the ferret, but she can't be made available for adoption if there is a question of ownership. Martinez agreed that the zoo would be the best solution.