The edit doesn't sound true, unless you mean being able to use a ability after the "Village is safe!" text appears.
Otherwise you can always use a usable ability even if the card is dead.
I just played 2 villages and instantly stabbed a Fortune Teller, and in another a Jester, and both allowed me to use it's ability.
In fact I don't ever recall a time when a dead card refused to be used if it has a usable ability.
So it's not a bug at all, nor a glitch, it's part of the game.