The Giffens who rescued Onix thirteen and a half years ago, when he was just a couple of days old have been trying desperately for a month now to get Onix back.

Their civil rights were violated in addition to everything else that was done to them. Animal control came onto their property, without a search warrant, and confiscated Onix. DNR is refusing to issue to the Giffens the necessary permits that would enable them to get Onix back, stating that Onix is a "wild animal". This is not true as Onix is completely domesticatd. In many states it is legal to have a raccoon as a pet. They are bred and sold as pets. They domesticate very well and become very attached and loving with their human family. They are not rabies carriers! As with any animal, the raccoon must come in direct contact with an infected animal to get rabies.

The Giffens had already complied with what the state of MD required for a special permit to be issued to them. He has had all of his vaccinations, including rabies and they had an enclosure built for him outside on their property. Although he was usually in the house they do have an enclosure for him.

F.O.R.E. has said that they will pay for the permits and pre-rabies shots for every member of the family if that is what MD requires. One series of shots is $600.00 per person.

Onix has never attacked or bitten anyone in his life, and this was the first time he has ever escaped. Their dog ripped the cage which enabled Onix to get out.

Below is a letter that was written to Maryland's Governor Ehrlich by the Attorney representing F.O.R.E. (Friends Of Raccoons Everywhere)which sums up what has happened to Onix. Email me if you would like information on how to help get Onix back home. Click on the email link at the bottom of this page.

Dear Governor Ehrlich:

As I told Dan in your office, I represent a not-for-profit organization in Connecticut called Friends of Raccoons Everywhere, Inc. (“FORE”). The purpose of this letter is to ask if you will intercede with Mary Goldie of your Department of Natural Resources and ask her to issue a permit for Onix the Raccoon for Carrie (“C.J.”) Giffin, who has nurtured and cared for this animal for the past 13 ½ years.

Close to one month ago, Onix let himself out of his cage and appeared on the neighbor’s porch. The neighbors, who were unaware that Ms. Giffin had a domesticated raccoon, called the Humane Society which responded and returned Onix to Ms. Giffin. Thereafter, the Humane Society attempted to obtain a permit for Ms. Giffin with the Department of Natural Resources.

I spoke with Paul Miller of the Humane Society: (301) 733-2060 (Ext. 201). He explained the incident to me and said he thought that he would be able to return Onix to C.J. Giffin. I have also spoken with Mary Goldie who wanted to tell me about all sorts of rules and regulations regarding the harboring of wild creatures. I understand that she has a job to do. I also think that she is missing the point in that she has now made this a “cause”. Onix is a raccoon who has been nurtured by C.J. since the rest of his family was killed by a boy with a BB gun. Onix survived his wounds. He will not survive very long in a zoo or anywhere other than where he has lived his life. During that time he has never bitten anyone and has been thoroughly domesticated.

Every so often there are a few instances where someone who is in your position can intercede and do a right for a wrong. It is not FORE’s position that raccoons should be harbored as domesticated animals except in cases where they are unreleasable. Clearly, Onix is unreleasable.

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