Hi FML Here is my small contribution for Kodo, I hope it helps -- Tim, Makai, Salena <RB-GAF> >Subject: Kodo the Ferret >Date: 08-Jun-97 at 13:36 >From: Tim C. Watson, 71203,1007 >TO: Gov. John Engler,INTERNET:migovail.state.mi.us > >Gov. Engler, > >I have been reading with great interest the plight of Kodo the Ferret for >about one month now. Let me first state that my father was born in >Kalamazoo Mich. and up till rather recently has several relatives residing >in the Jackson Mich. area. We have spent many vacations in Jackson and >several more in the Kalkaska and Bellaire areas. My family felt Mich. was >almost like a second home in many respects. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and >now reside in West Chester, Ohio. > >I find it amazing that your state is persuing the Kodo case with such vigor. >If memory serves me correctly Mich. "legalized" Ferrets in Dec. of 1995. >Ferrets should be accorded the same overall procedures and protocols as dogs >or cats. Recent statistics have shown that your state has "tested" over 200 >ferrets since 1994 and none have shown to be positive for rabies. In fact >Centers for Disease Control data shows that there have been less than 60 >Ferrets with rabies since 1958. I personally have been actually bitten by a >ferret in a pet store in Kentucky, I didn't even mention the incident to the >store personnel due to the fact that I know 1) rabies in ferrets is rare, 2) >rabies are not "shed" in ferrets, 3) ferrets will die in less than 9 days if >infected by rabies. Since Kodo has been "in quarantine" for almost 30 days >now; he most certainly would be DEAD if in fact he had rabies. Also since >Kodo did NOT bite the elderly man but the man "brushed" Kodo's tooth there >was no saliva involved further reducing the risk of any chance of rabies >transmission. > >Kodo is currently set to be EXECUTED Monday June 9th. This is the birthday >of my first ferret Salena who died last year after 4 years and 10 months as >one of my best little pet kids. My current ferret Makai is now about 13.5 >months old and is wondering why I am crying every time I use the computer >and read more news about Kodo. I ask you Gov. to intervene and save the >life of one special little ferret who surely wouldn't even be alive this >long if in fact he had rabies. Kodo was "invited" to participate in this >show and did not aggresively attack someone. He was only "there" when an >elderly man brushed against his tooth and broke his skin and bled. > >Gov. you have done many great things for your state in the last few ew years >and us of a Conservative leaning look at your example for ways to make >things better. PLEASE, do another great thing and pave the way to save >little Kodo's life. -- Tim C. Watson West Chester, Ohio [Posted in FML issue 1961]