At the hearing on Jan 6, the state said it would drop the charges against Mike and downgrade the charge against Rita to civil contempt, but they want Rita to pay for the rabies vaccine which the "victim" is allegedly taking, apparently starting the shots long after the incubation period had expired. We have information that possibly indicates the shots are being given improperly by the state. But since neither his name, medical records, or any other information about him has been released, we cannot confirm or deny. This is a small step in the right direction: at least they won't have to spend the weekend in the state penitentiary. LIFE is starting a massive legal defense fund drive for the McDowells, who have already incurred more than $4,000 in attorneys' fees (bear in mind, Mike has not been re-instated and has been out of work since this all broke out). Troy Lynn Eckart of Ferret Family Services in Manhattan KS took out a personal loan of $1,000 in order to pay the retainer for the lawyer, who previously won a case against the state involving wolf hybrids. We have already gotten considerable pledges and hopefully the checks will start rolling in to the McDowells. Think about it: these good folks, who have NOT turned their ferret over to the butchers, do not even have the money to pay next month's rent, and they are out there all alone fighting a battle for all of us and all our ferrets. This is very likely to turn into a landmark case for ferret rights. Please, please send what you can--anything will be gratefully received--to this address: Mike and Rita McDowell, 109 West 4th, Onaga KS 66521. And please give them a phone call to give them some moral support. Their number is 913-889-7180. Thank you very much. Ann Davis, LIFE (League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts). To anyone in Kansas: These are your elected Members of Congress. Call them. Tell your family and friends to mobilize a grassroots effort supporting the McDowells and all ferret owners by calling these numbers. Express your outrage about the McDowell case as well as your concern for the lives of ferrets. Do this now! The time is ripe. Your Members of Congress are elected to support the concerns of their constituents. We will be calling on their Washington offices on Monday (Jan. 10) with a comprehensive information packet on the case, on the McDowells' behalf. Senator Robert Dole Washington DC 202-224-6521 Topeka 913-295-2745 Wichita 316-263-4956 Kansas City 913-371-6108 Senator Nancy Kassebaum Washington DC 202-224-4774 Topeka 913-295-2888 Wichita 316-263-0416 Garden City 316-276-3423 Prairie Village 913-648-3103 Representative Jim Slattery 2d District Washington DC 202-225-6601 Topeka 913-233-2503 Pittsburgh 316-231-6040 Turn the tide of anti-ferret policies in your state. Protect yourselves and your pet ferrets. Keep the faith! Kim Murray LIFE Congressional Liaison Washington, D.C. [Posted in FML issue 0691]