This statement is made on behalf of Bob Jacobs, Kodo's owner. Kodo, the Michigan ferret, was euthanized today (6/12/97) under court order in order to test him for rabies. This action came at a time and place undisclosed to Bob Jacobs. He was not allowed to see his pet before the order was carried out. This morning, the Michigan Supreme issued its ruling, a refusal to hear the appeal of the case. Two judges of the seven dissented, finding that the trial judge committed error in his ruling. The judiciary has ruled on basis of the law in Michigan, and the law is that ferrets must be killed and tested for rabies if an exposure is suspected. Bob Jacobs is filing a civil suit to recover damages. While this will not bring Kodo back, it will help in some measure to ensure that no more ferrets meet Kodo's fate. What this case has shown is that, in Michigan at least, your ferret it not safe until you have a law or policy that explicitly states that ferrets are covered by quarantine in accordance with the current CDC Rabies Compendium. The current Michigan law does make reference to the "current" Compendium, with its 6-point risk assessment. However, the trial judge in this case still interpreted the law and the scientific basis on which the Compendium is based to formulate a ruling which raises the bar much higher for ferrets than for any other domestic animal, and which is clearly biased to protect the actions of the animal control officer and the county prosecutor. Kodo is dead because Michigan does not have a quarantine policy for ferrets. Ferrets just like Kodo, and just like your pet, are dead and are dying every day because their states do not have a quarantine policy. Kodo remained alive because of your calls and faxes to the government and to the media. He stayed alive because of your generous donations for his legal and media expenses. This became a national (and international) case because of your help, and in so doing, brought light upon the shameful policies in many states. Because of you, many ferrets will be safer. This case does not end with Kodo. If you turn your energies from fighting for this one ferret to fighting for all of them, then Kodo's death will not have been in vain. Do not lose the momentum. Continue to fight for legalization in California and the other places where ferrets are outlawed and killed just because they exist. Continue to fight for a quarantine law in your state. Kodo would have wanted you to keep going, so that other ferrets would not die as he did. And Bob Jacobs does not want you to give up. Kodo lives still in his heart, in his children's hearts, and in all of our hearts. Don't agonize. Organize. ___________________________________________ A special plea: Bob Jacobs still faces legal and media bills from this effort. His lawyer put much time and effort into this case, and distributing this story to the press cost a lot of money. The Great Lakes Ferret Association drained its treasury, seriously compromising its efforts to care for ferrets in Michigan. Some individuals loaned money to the media and legal funds on the basis of pledges, some of which to date have not arrived. Please continue to contribute what you can to the media and legal funds. The need is still desperate. If you have pledged money to this cause, please honor your pledge. To contribute to the MEDIA campaign, please contact Ronnie DiComo at <[log in to unmask]> To send checks for the LEGAL fund: Gloria Davis, Treasurer GLFA/LAF 27654 Southpointe Grosse Ile MI 48138 (Make out checks to GLFA/LAF) Credit card donations: call Bob Jacobs at (517) 777-4807 ____________________________________________________ Clippings, tapes, and transcripts of news coverage of Kodo's case are still needed. They will be used to help with future legalization and quarantine efforts. Please send them to: MaFF ATTN: BUD JACKSON P. O. BOX 3123 WAKEFIELD, MA 01880 ___________________________________________ Finding of the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing MI: On order of the court, we VACATE our order granting a stay dated June 10, 1997. The application for leave to appeal is considered, and it is DENIED, because we are not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this Court. Weaver and Kelly, JJ., would find that the trial court committed clear error and would peremptorily reverse. [Posted in FML issue 1967]