For those of you who have been asking, here is the latest on Rocky in CA: Rocky's Lawsuit -We've Taken the First Step. For those of you who have followed the story about Rocky, my ferret who was killed on January 8th by orders of the Health Department, here is the latest. Our quest for justice may be getting somewhere. After considerable shopping, I have selected an attorney in San Diego, George Weingarten to represent me, Ferrets Anonymous and all ferret enthusiasts in a lawsuit. I met with Mr.Weingarten for about 90 minutes to discuss the case, and gave him all my documentation. He is the only civil rights attorney listed in the San Diego yellow pages, and I checked out his referenences. I feel very good about what has happened so far. We are discussing a lawsuit against the San Diego County Department of Health in Federal Court for "Conspiracy to Violate Civil Rights." Other state and county agencies could be added as well. We could also get an injunction against those laws that prohibit ferret ownership in California. The basis for a lawsuit seems very strong. Most attornies I spoke to could not get past the "ferrets are illegal" part. Mr. Weingarten received the information of the recent lawsuit against the Fish and Game Commission by Marshall Farms, and could see that there is a major problem in the banning of ferrets in California. In addition, in last year's case, The People of the State of California vs Patrick Wright, the people added the day before the trial a charge against me of "possessing a wild animal (ferret) without a permit." They later dropped that charge and admitted that ferrets are domestic! A year later they killed Rocky, saying they were following procedures for wild animals. Based on what happened a year ago, and what happened with Rocky, it seems clear to everyone that there is a clear pattern of harassment, and an effort to stifle those of us who are working to change our state's policy on ferrets. I wrote Mr. Weingarten a $600 check that I had to postdate. Neither my finances nor Ferrets Anonymous finances would cover that check right now. I am asking anyone who can to please send in a contribution so I can cover that check. There is a lot riding on it. The next time a biting ferret is quarantined, the health department will have to worry that if they kill the ferret, they are subject to a lawsuit. All the scientific data points out that ferrets are domestic and don't shed the rabies virus. The killing of healthy ferrets will put the health department at risk. A ten day quarantine is more than sufficient protection for any public health concern. If you can help me cover this $600 check, please send a contribution to Ferrets Anonymous, PO Box 3395, San Diego, CA 92163. If you are already a member of Ferrets Anonymous, please let me know. Using your record number is helpful. Thank you to those of you who have already helped. Stay with Ferrets Anonymous and watch the show as those people who cruelly killed Rocky will have to explain themselves. I hope to see the whole ferret ban, and those responsible for it, exposed for what it is. Justice for Rocky and all of us! Pat Wright Chairman and Founder Ferrets Anonymous [Posted in FML issue 2283]