[Editor's note: Paula forwarded an entire Associated Press story with
instructions to edit as I saw fit.
 
I really can't post the story as sent, but will give a brief summary.
 
Seems that in Maryland in 1994, a visiting pet ferret accidentally bit the
finger of a 13 year old girl while said ferret was aiming for a chocolate
chip cookie.
 
The girl's mother insisted the ferret be killed and tested for rabies and,
in fact, a battle to save the ferret was unsuccessful.
 
The owners of the late ferret then sued for compensation, stating that since
private property was taken (i.e. the ferret was seized) then compensation
for the property is due per the US Constitution.
 
The courts disagreed and even the state's highest court refused to grant an
appeal.
 
The case, should you wish to look it up, was Raynor vs. Maryland Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene, 96-1234.
 
Quoting Paula and her sister: "this sucks."    BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1902]