Below is the law as it stands in Missouri (I know, I know, we're working to get that changed); apparently, misdemeanor animal abuse is all they can charge him with. However, letters of support to the Prosecuting Attorney never hurt. I believe this one is being handled by the County, not the City, so use the below address: Mr. Robert C. McCulloch St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney 100 So. Central Ave. Clayton, Missouri 63105 314-615-2600 I agree with Christine, who said to write calm, even letters; do not rant and rave, as they will merely dismiss you. Just state the facts and that you support their charges against this man. Laura Note: forwarded message attached. --- The following is from the St. Louis Post Dispatch: "Stefan Albrecht of Yonkers, N.Y., was charged Friday in St. Louis County with misdemeanor animal abuse. He is accused of killing a ferret he had smuggled onto an airliner in a carry-on cooler. [etc....] Here's the law: 578.012. 1. A person is guilty of animal abuse when a person: (1) Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly exempted from the provisions of sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030, RSMo; (2) Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or (3) Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care or adequate control. 2. Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has previously plead guilty to or has been found guilty of animal abuse or the suffering involved in subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of this section is the result of torture or mutilation, or both, consciously inflicted while the animal was alive, in which case it is a class D felony. Jeff [Posted in FML issue 4062]