Hi FML
 
Here is my small contribution for Kodo, I hope it helps
 
-- Tim, Makai, Salena <RB-GAF>
 
>Subject: Kodo the Ferret
>Date:    08-Jun-97 at 13:36
>From:    Tim C. Watson, 71203,1007
>TO: Gov. John Engler,INTERNET:migovail.state.mi.us
>
>Gov. Engler,
>
>I have been reading with great interest the plight of Kodo the Ferret for
>about one month now.  Let me first state that my father was born in
>Kalamazoo Mich. and up till rather recently has several relatives residing
>in the Jackson Mich. area.  We have spent many vacations in Jackson and
>several more in the Kalkaska and Bellaire areas.  My family felt Mich. was
>almost like a second home in many respects.  I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and
>now reside in West Chester, Ohio.
>
>I find it amazing that your state is persuing the Kodo case with such vigor.
>If memory serves me correctly Mich. "legalized" Ferrets in Dec. of 1995.
>Ferrets should be accorded the same overall procedures and protocols as dogs
>or cats.  Recent statistics have shown that your state has "tested" over 200
>ferrets since 1994 and none have shown to be positive for rabies.  In fact
>Centers for Disease Control data shows that there have been less than 60
>Ferrets with rabies since 1958.  I personally have been actually bitten by a
>ferret in a pet store in Kentucky, I didn't even mention the incident to the
>store personnel due to the fact that I know 1) rabies in ferrets is rare, 2)
>rabies are not "shed" in ferrets, 3) ferrets will die in less than 9 days if
>infected by rabies.  Since Kodo has been "in quarantine" for almost 30 days
>now; he most certainly would be DEAD if in fact he had rabies.  Also since
>Kodo did NOT bite the elderly man but the man "brushed" Kodo's tooth there
>was no saliva involved further reducing the risk of any chance of rabies
>transmission.
>
>Kodo is currently set to be EXECUTED Monday June 9th.  This is the birthday
>of my first ferret Salena who died last year after 4 years and 10 months as
>one of my best little pet kids.  My current ferret Makai is now about 13.5
>months old and is wondering why I am crying every time I use the computer
>and read more news about Kodo.  I ask you Gov. to intervene and save the
>life of one special little ferret who surely wouldn't even be alive this
>long if in fact he had rabies.  Kodo was "invited" to participate in this
>show and did not aggresively attack someone.  He was only "there" when an
>elderly man brushed against his tooth and broke his skin and bled.
>
>Gov. you have done many great things for your state in the last few ew years
>and us of a Conservative leaning look at your example for ways to make
>things better.  PLEASE, do another great thing and pave the way to save
>little Kodo's life.
 
-- Tim C. Watson
West Chester, Ohio
[Posted in FML issue 1961]