FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
STATE-EXECUTED PET "KODO" DID NOT HAVE RABIES, EXAM SHOWS
 
PROSECUTION MISLED PUBLIC ABOUT URGENCY FOR PET'S DEATH
 
Saginaw, MICHIGAN - "Kodo the Kute" -- a Saginaw, Michigan family's pet
ferret which was confiscated and executed by the State of Michigan -- did
not have rabies, according to a state examination.  Not surprised by the
news was Kodo's owner, Robert Jacobs, who said, "The execution of our family
pet served no purpose other than to prove, once and for all, that the
attorney general's office failed to listen to reason, objectivity and the
facts presented.  It became clear to me that these people were on a
witch-hunt to do whatever it took to kill my family's pet."
 
"My family and I are in tears over this," continued Jacobs.  "My children
don't understand why this was done to their pet.  And I can't give them a
logical answer because their isn't one.  The emotional damage done to me and
my family is absolutely irreparable."
 
"Our government took our pet away and had it killed," continued Jacobs,
"without any warning and without any logical or factually-based reason.
Kodo had a rabies shot before this whole state governemnt-sponsored fiasco
started.  Even if Kodo had rabies, he would have died within ten days of the
snag incident.
 
"Folks, this could happen to you, too.  This is our government on a
power-play, spending thousands of our tax-dollars to go after an average
working family.  Forget murder, drugs, and rape -- the Michigan attorney
general and county prosecutors feel it's more important for public safety to
wage a bloodthirsty campaign against the pet of eight and nine-year old
children.  It's unconscionable."
 
-more-
 
PROSECUTORS LIED ABOUT URGENCY - MAN WHO SNAGGED HIS FINGER WAS NOT
CONCERNED AND DID NOT WANT FERRET DESTROYED
 
In their efforts to quickly kill the Jacobs' family pet, prosecutor Marty
Fitzhugh continuously and falsely stated the ferret's immediate execution
was crucial to the man who scraped his finger on the ferret over 40 days
ago.  Fitzhugh said the county and state was anxious to learn if the animal
(Kodo) has rabies, reported United Press International (6/10/97 16:12:01).
 
But the 71-year-old Canton, Michigan man who snagged his finger on Kodo's
tooth, Arne Ostlund, was never concerned at all and did not want Kodo to die
(see Bay City Times 5/25/97 p.  1).  Ostlund was not even in Michigan during
the last week, sources say -- he is currently vacationing around the world.
And, even more proof showing Fitzhugh misled the public, is a previously
written document by Ostlund which expressly states that he did not want to
press charges and would release the county, state, and all concerned parties
from any responsibility.  The prosecution knew their own representations
were misleading and false.
 
Added pro bono consultant Bud Jackson, "I also believe there was no accident
that the results from this test were released on Friday.  Obviously, the
state hoped the results would be less noticed by citizens who are off
enjoying their summer vacation weekend."
 
         -30-
[Posted in FML issue 1970]