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Dharkwolf · 07-03-2006, 21:37

Hey Tyson,

Looks like you are facing a legal problem, not really a scientific one.

So my first question is: Which is the law that says the CSV is a wolf-hybrid? It may be possible to contest this in any number of ways if it comes to it.

I have to agree with Ina, the links provided above will probably not help you because the CSV is not a wolf-hybrid and those documents relate to wolf-hybrids – not to mention that although the trial may have been successful the vaccine does not seem to have been FDA approved (which means it is still going through the process or was dropped for some other reason).

To solve this first you need to understand your vet – here is my take on things:

Your vet is trying to enforce a law which has been designed to protect people – Rabies is a deadly disease and naturally no vet wants to risk it spreading in their community. He or she is trying to do what is best for all by making you sign this declaration so that things are clear should there be any incident.

There are therefore two things which will be useful –

1) First, there is a need to ascertain whether or not a CSV is legally a wolf-hybrid or not. This is a very frustrating question and it will depend on the legal definition in your jurisdiction (I assume this is defined at the state level) I will be happy to look into it and discuss it with you if you want – but I do need a reference to the law in question.
2) Secondly it would be good to provide all the information possible to demonstrate that the CSV is not at risk from rabies after vaccination. To my knowledge the information which exists on this is not terribly strong but it is there. Has there ever been a case of a vaccinated CSV who caught rabies? Not to my knowledge (and I tend to ask everyone I meet about this precisely because I know this will come up sometime) however you will need something more sturdy than that. Luckily for you all cases of Rabies have to be notified to health authorities, and therefore it is possible to search records to see if there has ever been a case of a CSV infected with Rabies. I can start to do this but it will take some time. (Ina would you have some idea on how to go about this?) Even if it turns out that there has never been a rabid vaccinated CSV that is not conclusive evidence, however it is a case of quite strong empirical evidence in your favour (not to be neglected!)

There is something else which you need to consider Tyson, signing that declaration will set a precedent – certainly a small one and an unlikely one to come up again, but a precedent nonetheless, one which would be unfair not only to Polo but to all other CSVs which are to be found around the world.

Please provide us with a little more information and we’ll do what we can to help.

J.

07-03-2006, 21:37	#8
Dharkwolf Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brussels Posts: 201	Hey Tyson, Looks like you are facing a legal problem, not really a scientific one. So my first question is: Which is the law that says the CSV is a wolf-hybrid? It may be possible to contest this in any number of ways if it comes to it. I have to agree with Ina, the links provided above will probably not help you because the CSV is not a wolf-hybrid and those documents relate to wolf-hybrids – not to mention that although the trial may have been successful the vaccine does not seem to have been FDA approved (which means it is still going through the process or was dropped for some other reason). To solve this first you need to understand your vet – here is my take on things: Your vet is trying to enforce a law which has been designed to protect people – Rabies is a deadly disease and naturally no vet wants to risk it spreading in their community. He or she is trying to do what is best for all by making you sign this declaration so that things are clear should there be any incident. There are therefore two things which will be useful – 1) First, there is a need to ascertain whether or not a CSV is legally a wolf-hybrid or not. This is a very frustrating question and it will depend on the legal definition in your jurisdiction (I assume this is defined at the state level) I will be happy to look into it and discuss it with you if you want – but I do need a reference to the law in question. 2) Secondly it would be good to provide all the information possible to demonstrate that the CSV is not at risk from rabies after vaccination. To my knowledge the information which exists on this is not terribly strong but it is there. Has there ever been a case of a vaccinated CSV who caught rabies? Not to my knowledge (and I tend to ask everyone I meet about this precisely because I know this will come up sometime) however you will need something more sturdy than that. Luckily for you all cases of Rabies have to be notified to health authorities, and therefore it is possible to search records to see if there has ever been a case of a CSV infected with Rabies. I can start to do this but it will take some time. (Ina would you have some idea on how to go about this?) Even if it turns out that there has never been a rabid vaccinated CSV that is not conclusive evidence, however it is a case of quite strong empirical evidence in your favour (not to be neglected!) There is something else which you need to consider Tyson, signing that declaration will set a precedent – certainly a small one and an unlikely one to come up again, but a precedent nonetheless, one which would be unfair not only to Polo but to all other CSVs which are to be found around the world. Please provide us with a little more information and we’ll do what we can to help. J.