>From: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Kodos' "alleged" bite
>
>1. According to Mrs Burns' own bite report, No "bite" ever occured. The
>gentleman in his own statement to Mrs Burns Stated that when petting the
>ferret, HE "bumped" the ferrets teeth. His own statement varifies that the
>break in his skin, was a result of his movement toward the ferret and that
>the ferret made no movement or actions to inflict the "alleged bite" by Mrs.
>Burns. There was NO BITE !
>
>2. Michigan law Act 358 states, "A person who owns or harbors a ferret that
>exposed a person or other animal to rabies by biting, scratching, causing
>abrasions, or contaminating open wounds or mucous membranes with saliva or
>other infectious material shall handle the  ferret in accordance with the
>published guidelines of the Centers of Disease Control and prevention (CDC)".
>In order for this law to be enforced judiciously, The most curret (1997)
>directives from CDC, which accepts the National Rabies Compendium, provided
>by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV)
>must be adhered to. This most recent ruling required that a "Rabies Risk
>Assement" be observed in animals other than dogs and cats. The last sentence
>in section B, clearly states this fact. I.E.,
>a. Species of Animal: Domestic Ferret (Mustela Furo) There is no documented
>    transmission of rabies to any human or animal anywhere in the world from
>    this species.
>b. circumstances of the bite: While attempting to pet the ferret, elderly
>    gentleman brushed his had against a canine tooth of the ferret which
>    naturally protrudes from below the lower lip of this species of animal.
>    The ferret made no move to initate contact with the gentleman.
>c. epidemiology of raqbies in the area: There is no current epizoonosis of
>   rabies in the area where this "alleged" bite took place.
>
>d. biting animals history: There has never been a past bite inflicted by
>   this ferret, this "alleged" bite was "incidental" contact.
>e. current health status: Present health of ferret is varified by personal
>    veterinarian as asymptomatic of rabies, and in very good general health.
>f.  potentual for exposure to rabies: This eleven month old ferret has been
>    house bound and/or caged indoors its entire life.  When out of the
>    house it is carried in a pet carrier, or in the arms of the owner..
>    This ferret has had no contact with any wild animal species, and has
>    had no physical involvement with any unvaccinated domestic species.This
>    ferret has been vaccinated against rabies with a USDA approved biologic
>    that has never failed to provide total rabies protection in ferrets
>    since its approval 7 Feb 1990.
>
>Mrs. Burns has clearly failed to exercise proper judgement in her duties.
>She has with cognizance, abated the due process of law, used threats of
>excessive force to seize the legal private property of a citizen and has
>caused undue pain and suffering to the family of this beloved pet.
>
>This pet ferret, named Kodo has clearly presented no danger to the public
>health; but Mrs. Burns has inflicted irreparable damage to the very public
>that she is appointed to serve.
>
>Please, stop the needless killing of this pet.
[Posted in FML issue 1923]