This is to update everyone on what is happening here in Massachusetts in regards to the Brookline Case. As you all may or may not be aware, two innocent ferrets were viciously murdered this past month when their home was invaded by an alleged robber. Charged with this crime is James Arthur Melton who is presently undergoing psychriatric observations at Bridgewater State Hospital. The charges pending on him are: breaking and entering, larceny over $250.00, telephone fraud, animal cruelty, and attempted arson. Massachusetts Ferret Friends is cooperating fully with the Brookline Police Detectives in charge of this case and the District Attorney's Office, Norfolk County. MaFF has been asked by the Brookline Police and the DA's office to furnish them with information on ferrets and their behavior. MaFF has also been in contact with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Humane Association (AHA) and other groups national and local, to get infomation to us pertaining to this and other cases that may be helpful. MaFF is also trying to locate one of the ALDF (Animal Legal Defense Fund) attorney's to see if we can get them to get involved with this case. We have left messages with most of them and are waiting for responses. MaFF wishes to thank Lynda ([log in to unmask]) for furnshing us with this list. Local MaFF members in Brookline have made themselves available to comfort the owner through the Brookline Police. As soon as contact has been made, we will update you. MaFF is asking if any of you would like to send your letters and cards of support to the owner, to please do so by mailing to our Post Office box at: Massachuestts Ferret Friends, Inc. C/O Brookline Ferret Case PO Box 3123 Wakefield, MA 01880 MaFF is withholding the owners name at this time to protect his privacy. To get updates on this case, please use the folowing forums for now and we will update you with other venus as they come in. Sam (who has done websites for the Spokane incident, Rocky and the Ontario Ferrets cases), has graciously volunteered to start up a website for this case. We will let everyone know how to access it as soon as it is ready. For now, please refer to, the America Online Message Boards amd the Ferret Mailing List. [Posted in FML issue 2457]