As of late today (December 22), Rita McDowell still does not have an attorney who will represent her. Apparently the judge and other local authorities have intimidated all the local attorneys into backing off from the case. Her husband has been put on indefinite suspension without pay by the sheriff's office, even though by state law this can only be done if the officer in question had been indicted in a criminal case. The ferret was not turned in, and the court-imposed deadline has expired. The McDowells are waiting to be arrested, at which time they face having their children picked up by county welfare. The only bright spot at the moment is the case is beginning to attract a lot of media attention, including the K.C. Star, local TV news, and the AP. We are still working on finding them an attorney, and I have advised them to contact the American Civil Liberties Union in Kansas City. I personally have not heard of such kangaroo court proceedings since the life and times of Judge Roy Bean. Rita and Mike are totally devoted to their ferrets, and the entire issue has gone past the bite case, which is about as lame as they come. The state has still not even presented any evidence that there WAS a bite, the name of the "victim" is still unknown because the "victim" has refused to come forward, and there is not even any proof the nip broke the skin. But what it has come to now is an absolutely massive violation of the McDowells' rights as citizens, and totally uncalled for efforts by the local health and judicial authorities to destroy both them and their ferrets. In the face of all this, the McDowells are sticking bravely to their guns in a heroic effort to make a difference in Kansas. I'll continue to post as I get updates. If anyone has any ideas, or can help in any way, please let me know. I'll be checking my e-mailbox regularly (CompuServe 70367,3461). --Ann Davis, League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts. [Posted in FML issue 0677]