Arizona's restaurant ferret ban takes effect

PHOENIX, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A law officially forbidding ferrets from being brought into the Arizona restaurants has taken effect.

Friday, the 90th day since this year's legislative session was adjourned, marked the day 256 new laws took effect in the state, including the ferret ban, which stems from efforts to narrow the number of species considered "service animals," Capital Media Services reported Monday.

Laws previously allowed several types of animals to be claimed as "service animals" and brought into restaurants and other facilities by people with disabilities, but the new law restricts the designation to dogs and miniature horses.

Miniature horses were left on the list due to their ability to be trained, greater physical strength than dogs and their longevity.