> From: Ann Davis <[log in to unmask]>
> Date:   Wed, 22 Dec 1993 00:12:27 -0500
> Subject: Kansas Bite Case
>
> To anyone concerned with the Kansas bite case:
>
> I guess everyone knows that it didn't go well in Kansas today.  Just to
> reference you-- a workman for Kansas power and light was nipped by a
> ferret in the arms of a 13year old girl in her own home.  The ferret,
> waiting in the car, was stolen and the owner, Rita McDowell doesn't know
> where it is.  The man who was nipped took the precaution of getting a
> tetanus shot -whence all the trouble -the doctors, etc.  He refuses to
> press charges and refuses to take the shots.
 
So there should be no problem.
 
> Rita and her husband who is a county sheriff deputy (and not the owner
> of the animal) were given a court order to produce her ferret by 3pm
> tomorrow, Dec.  22, for testing or go to jail.  If sent to jail, Mr.
> McDowell will most surely lose his job.  Their lawyer is back pedaling
> and refuses to file an appeal.  The State has not produced the victim,
> or proof of the bite, or even his name.  The judge found that ferrets
> were WILD ANIMALS and that even if they had been given IMRAB that by
> Kansas law, it didn't count for wild animals.  The court refused to read
> any of the vast amount of documentation, including scientific studies,
> that had been sent by the CDFA, FURO, AFA, LIFE, & STAR, and a personal
> statement sent by Dr.  James Gaines, an authority on the subject.
 
Excuse me for my ignorance but...  This seems to me to be highly illegal.
I mean if no one is will to press charges then how can there be a crime?
I mean if a man beats his wife and then refuses to press charges that is OK
but this isn't?  What the hell is going on here?
 
> One of their big points was that no expert witness was present to
> testify to the fact that ferrets were domestic, no professional was
> there to stand up for ferrets in court.
 
OK, Next question...  Who do we have to ruin?
I mean it sounds like some prosecutor has it out for our furry friends.
I would also not want the judge deciding any case I might be involved in if
his mental facculties are this messed up.  Who are we supposed to write to?
 
Just post the addresses and the names and I am sure that most people on this
list would be happy to do what ever we could.
--
Brian & 'Nessa (watched over by) Priscilla & Herman (carpet sharks)
"Maybe it's a gift, a special talent that I, alone, possess!"  --Wembley
"Maybe it's a curse, a special weirdness that only you are stuck with!"  --Red
 
[Posted in FML issue 0677]