While I know that this is a sore subject, I want to address the topic of how we can contribute to stopping Jenn Morrison and others like her. This is long and will probably make some people angry. But, let s try to be productive and work toward long term goals. (I m climbing up on my soapbox now.) Many people we will never know worked, fought and died so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. We may never see the results of our efforts but one thing is sure if we don t try we shall surely fail. Alicia Drakiotes has shown us that it can be done. Don t we owe it to those who have suffered and died needlessly to try? Recently I was in Salt Lake City, Utah. While there I contacted the following people, who have been contacted by members of the ferret community, in connection with Jenn Morrison and the recent events concerning Spirit: Deanne Hess, Director, Davis County Animal Control Joan ???, Davis County Prosecutor's Office John Fox, Utah Humane Society Rock Springs Humane Society Jenn Morrison After much thought, I have tried to compose a note about how we can help get her convicted. This will NOT contain anything but what I was told (no *hearsay*) and MY opinions. I will identify the two. Opinion: 1. Right now the people involved hear a lot of emotion and little support. So far the impression seems to be that we want them to drop everything else and handle this alone. 2. They also are limited by the constraints of the law. We need to be careful that we dont do anything that will ultimately result in JM getting off on a technicality. What I was told: After talking to everyone first hand, I have learned that what's *out there* is not always completely accurate. When I spoke with the Davis County prosecutor's office, I was told the following: 1. Jenn was charged with a zoning violation, not having a business license, a registration permit violation and a probation violation. 2. She will be served with papers at the address where she was last known to be living. 3. If she does not show up for the court date (which has not yet been selected) a warrant will be issued for her arrest. When I talked with Jenn, I was told the following: 1. That she was no longer in Utah. 2. That the shelter was closed. 3. That she has 6 personal ferrets, one of which she has had for 9 years and 5 she has had for 6 years. Roles: The roles of those involved are defined by law. We may not LIKE what charges were brought, but that is all we can deal with. If we need to make changes in the law, we don't do it by pressing the D.A.'s office. We do it by becoming involved on a grass roots level and getting the voters involved. Like it or not, the power IS in the hands of the people. (On the positive side thats US, folks!) Charges: The prosecutor's office is limited by the law in terms of what charges can be brought against Jenn. Joan told me that Jenn was originally charged with a *Class B misdemeanor.* The maximum fine is $1800 and 6 months in jail. The prosecutor's office (Kris Neal) can NOT change the punishment time. Jenn was sentenced to this, with a fine of $500 and probation. If she violated her probation (which I was told she has), she will have to serve out the sentence, if the judge chooses to make her. Procedure: The D.A.s office files the charges, but they are signed by the judge and served by the Sheriffs office. If JM is in Idaho, they have to be forwarded to the county in which she resides so THAT Sheriffs office can serve them. IF they choose to pick up the party served, they can. However, Davis County, Utah can not go up there and do it NOR can they force anyone in Idaho to do it. How to help: I specifically asked, *What can we do to best help with this case?* I was told: Write the judge a letter requesting the maximum penalty allowable by law. The case # is 0116-01-083. I think it is Davis County v. Jenn Morrison. The judge in this case is: The Honorable M. Allphin 425 N. Wasatch Layton, UT 84041 Hints for writing a letter: Mention the case number. Be respectful. Make the letter legible. The letter should contain only what you KNOW, should not be accusatory, condescending or threatening. It should not talk about how horrible the justice system is or how unfair the sentence and should not be derogatory. It should show the judge that we are concerned but that we understand the constraints of the law and would like to help. Do not sign the letters *Anonymous.* Identify yourself. Do not represent yourself as speaking for anyone except yourself. If you are speaking for a club, group, etc. (and be sure you abide by that groups policy if you are) identify it. Do NOT state things like *On behalf of the entire ferret community* because you are NOT speaking for everyone. What we need: Legal counsel. Someone in every state in the union. Every state has its own laws and they may vary. If we can work together to make changes, it will help ALL our four-legged friends. We need to work with large groups cat, dog, horse, etc. lovers because there is strength in numbers. Remember, just because we KNOW about what happened in Utah doesn't mean that it is the ONLY place it can or is happening. We have seen too many of these situations all over the US. Please, let's work together for the ferrets. LAGNIAPPE: You may also be interested to know that there is currently a case of animal cruelty in the Salt Lake City courts that describes the worst case they have ever seen. It involves a cat that was tortured and mutilated and has made the news several days now. So, while it may seem little at the moment, they are addressing cruelty issues out there. My long talk with John Fox of the Utah Humane Society was enlightening. I spent a while at the shelter and listened to lots of people who came to adopt. Quite frankly, I am not sure how these people put up with some of the stuff they get! Apparently there are enough ferrets coming through there that they have adoption prices listed with those for cats and dogs. They also had a book on the care of ferrets for purchase at an affordable price. If you made it this far, thanks for reading to the end. And, thank you, Bill, for the opportunity. renee :) & The Poop-in-the-Corner Gang: Shadow, Oscar, Sir Walter, Bubbles, Dodger, Swee' Pea and Maggie Mae Over the Rainbow: Sammie, Smokey, Brumbey, Li'l Girl, Peytah, Buddy, Rosie and Giggles [Posted in FML issue 3863]