>From: <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Kodos' "alleged" bite > >1. According to Mrs Burns' own bite report, No "bite" ever occured. The >gentleman in his own statement to Mrs Burns Stated that when petting the >ferret, HE "bumped" the ferrets teeth. His own statement varifies that the >break in his skin, was a result of his movement toward the ferret and that >the ferret made no movement or actions to inflict the "alleged bite" by Mrs. >Burns. There was NO BITE ! > >2. Michigan law Act 358 states, "A person who owns or harbors a ferret that >exposed a person or other animal to rabies by biting, scratching, causing >abrasions, or contaminating open wounds or mucous membranes with saliva or >other infectious material shall handle the ferret in accordance with the >published guidelines of the Centers of Disease Control and prevention (CDC)". >In order for this law to be enforced judiciously, The most curret (1997) >directives from CDC, which accepts the National Rabies Compendium, provided >by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) >must be adhered to. This most recent ruling required that a "Rabies Risk >Assement" be observed in animals other than dogs and cats. The last sentence >in section B, clearly states this fact. I.E., >a. Species of Animal: Domestic Ferret (Mustela Furo) There is no documented > transmission of rabies to any human or animal anywhere in the world from > this species. >b. circumstances of the bite: While attempting to pet the ferret, elderly > gentleman brushed his had against a canine tooth of the ferret which > naturally protrudes from below the lower lip of this species of animal. > The ferret made no move to initate contact with the gentleman. >c. epidemiology of raqbies in the area: There is no current epizoonosis of > rabies in the area where this "alleged" bite took place. > >d. biting animals history: There has never been a past bite inflicted by > this ferret, this "alleged" bite was "incidental" contact. >e. current health status: Present health of ferret is varified by personal > veterinarian as asymptomatic of rabies, and in very good general health. >f. potentual for exposure to rabies: This eleven month old ferret has been > house bound and/or caged indoors its entire life. When out of the > house it is carried in a pet carrier, or in the arms of the owner.. > This ferret has had no contact with any wild animal species, and has > had no physical involvement with any unvaccinated domestic species.This > ferret has been vaccinated against rabies with a USDA approved biologic > that has never failed to provide total rabies protection in ferrets > since its approval 7 Feb 1990. > >Mrs. Burns has clearly failed to exercise proper judgement in her duties. >She has with cognizance, abated the due process of law, used threats of >excessive force to seize the legal private property of a citizen and has >caused undue pain and suffering to the family of this beloved pet. > >This pet ferret, named Kodo has clearly presented no danger to the public >health; but Mrs. Burns has inflicted irreparable damage to the very public >that she is appointed to serve. > >Please, stop the needless killing of this pet. [Posted in FML issue 1923]