From: Judy Reed [judyreedco@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 12:13 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Downed Animal Protection Act
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD  20852
FAX: 301-827-6870
E-mail: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov

 Re: DOCKET NUMBER 98P-0151/CP1

To The FDA:

I request that the Food and Drug Administration grant petition 98P-0151/CP1.

Please take into consideration the following information when you are 
making your decision:



    1  Animals who are too sick or injured even to stand should not be allowed 
    to enter the human food chain.
    
    2  In addition to posing an increased risk for bacterial contamination, 
    there is evidence that some downed animals may be afflicted with a form of 
    BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow Disease"), a disease which 
    has been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease).
    
    3  It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, and they are typically 
    pushed with tractors or dragged with chains - inhumane processes which cause 
    injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions, to broken bones and torn 
    ligaments.
    
    4  Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals slaughtered, 
    and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue economic hardship.
    
    5  Industry experts have estimated that 90% percent of downed animals can be 
    prevented with better care and handling. Removing the market for downed 
    animals will provide an incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in 
    the first place.
    

Many people and humane organizations are asking you to pass the Downed 
Animal Protection Act in Washington, DC.   This commonsense measure requires 
that animals who are too sick to stand (i.e. "downed animals") be humanely 
euthanized at stockyards.  It's only human.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Judy Reed
AnimalVoices
We Speak For Critters Who Can't

7267 So Clermont Drive
Littleton CO 80122
303-694-9329
judyreedco@earthlink.net