This one tops them all!!!
 
On or about 3-28-97 Rebecca purchased "Thunder" from a fellow named Mike.
They both live in Owosso, Mi (can you guess whats coming??).  The reason
Mike was selling Thunder is his fiancee did not want the ferret.  No other
reason was given for the sale.  Thunder has been purchased from a pet shop
at 8 weeks of age and his exam date was listed as 2-12-97.  His health
certificate accompanied the sale.  Thunder was examined again by Rebecca's
vet and vaccinated for rabies on 5-24-97.
 
On Wednesday 7-23-97 The Shiawasse Health Dept. called Rebecca asking if she
had Thunder.  When Rebecca said yes she had the ferret she was asked if the
ferret had any health problems or was sick in any way.  Rebecca told the
woman the ferret was very healthy, had never shown any signs of being sick,
ate, drank and played well.  Rebecca was asked if she had the ferret to the
vet for any exams since purchased.  Rebecca said yes.  The woman from the
Health Dept. said that the ferret had been involved in a bite over 4 months
ago but that they were not going to do anything about it because it was over
4 months old and also told Rebecca not to worry, they would not take her
ferret.
 
The next day 7-24-97 Mr. Jack Bunting from Shiawasse Animal Control showed
up at her door and demanded she turn over the ferret for immediate
destruction.  She asked if he had a court order, he said no, she told him to
get off her land and not come back.  Mr. Bunting told her he would get a
court order and that she would have to pay him $35.00 cost for destroying
the ferret.  Rebecca told him he was crazy, that she would never pay.  He
left saying he would be back with the court order.  Later the same day the
assistant prosecuting attorney from Shiawasse County called and sked her
similar questions about the ferret.  Rebecca told her the same things she
had told the Health Dept..  The assist.  PA said as far as she was concerned
there was no case due to lack of info and the time frame.  She did say her
boss Randy Colbrey was on vacation and that when he returned on Monday she
would talk it over with him.
 
On Tuesday 7-29-97 Randy Colbrey the chief prosecuting attorney from
Shiawasse County (the same one that had the heart recipient arrested and
held without bond until Kelly was turned over) called Rebecca and told her
to turn over the ferret or go to jail.  He said it was his call and the law
stated that if the ferret bit it was to be destroyed and tested for rabies.
Rebecca said she was under the impression the bite had to be reported within
48 hours and that neither the child or ferret were ill.  Colbrey said the
rabies virus can stay dormant for UP TO SEVEN YEARS in ferrets and he was
told this by a Dr. Rebecca asked who the Dr. was, Colbrey declined to give
her the name.  He asked her if she was going to co-operate or did he have to
get a court order.  Rebecca stated at the time (feeling she had no choice)
that she would turn over the ferret on 7-30-97.  She cannot go to jail as
she has an ailing grandfather and a grandson to take care of as well as a
job.  Then she called the GLFA and Sal Gani the attorney.  --this was the
info as of 4:30pm on Wednesay 7-30-97---
 
I have since been told that now Colbrey has changed his mind about pursuing
this but the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH wants the ferret dead.
This is insane.  It's as if they feel they can do whatever they want and our
rights as citizens be damned.  This is truely without merit and looks
exactly like what it is - a ferret inquisition in Michigan.  If anyone has
access to the media let them know Michigan is at it again.  Will try to keep
you posted as to what is happening.
[Posted in FML issue 2019]