Maynard the Outlaw Ferret Exiled From State; ‘Execution’ Canceled

After more than a year on “death row,” Maynard the outlaw ferret on Thursday was granted clemency in Van Nuys Municipal Court and exiled from California.

Judge Kenneth L. Chotiner ordered state fish and game wardens to release the furry, weasel-like animal, which is banned from California by state law, to its owner.

And Chotiner ordered James Brown of Van Nuys, a 21-year-old film student who raised the ferret from birth, to promptly take Maynard out of the state.

Bound for Oregon

Brown said he will have the animal flown to his mother’s home in Oregon, where it is legal to keep ferrets as pets.

“I’m grateful he’s not going to be killed, but I wish I could keep him with me here in California,” Brown said.

He continued to insist that Maynard is not a wild ferret, but a descendant of a species of ferret long ago domesticated in Europe.

State officials say that state law bans all ferrets because there is no easy way to determine whether a ferret is wild or domestic. Ferrets, which prey on the eggs of wild birds and domestic chickens, are not the friendly pets they appear to be, officials say.

But Brown said ferrets, which are about the size of large house cats, are “more friendly than cats and more loyal than dogs. They’re ideal pets.”

Charge Dismissed

Chotiner on Monday dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Brown, who had been accused of possessing a wild animal without a permit. The judge ruled that Brown, who was charged in February, 1985, had been denied a speedy trial.

Maynard was picked up by animal control officials after he got into a fight with neighborhood dogs.

Since then, he has been in a cage at the Wildlife Waystation in Little Tujunga Canyon under a sentence of death. Fish and Game Lt. Donald Wilkins said the department normally destroys outlawed wild animals, but often waits if there is a possibility they could be needed as evidence in court.

Although denied “jail house” visits with his ferret, Brown was allowed a brief get-together with Maynard last week in Chotiner’s courtroom.

In Good Health

He said the ferret, who will be 4 in May, appeared to be in good health but somewhat lethargic.

Deputy City Atty. Kenneth F. Carrasco did not object to Chotiner’s ruling for clemency, saying “We have no desire to see the animal killed. That has never been our intention.”

At the prosecutor’s request, Chotiner delayed the release until April 7 to give state officials time to examine and photograph the ferret should there be future court proceedings in the case.

Carrasco said the city attorney’s office is considering an appeal of Chotiner’s dismissal of the charge against Brown.

The charge carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.