From: shannon jacobs [sherman1971@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 1:08 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: DOCKET #98P-0151/CP1

Please grant petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the
slaughter of downed animals.  Animals who are too sick
or injured even to stand should not be allowed to
enter the human food chain.  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 (mad cow disease) which has been
linked to a fatal human illness(CJD).  It is
impossible to move downed animals humanely, and they
are typically pushed with tractors or dragged with
chains.  This inhumane process causes injuries like
bruises, abrasions, broken bones, and torn ligaments. 
Downed animals comprise a very small % of animals
slaughtered, and prohibiting their marketing will
cause no undue economic hardship.  Industry experts
have estimated that 90% 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.  

                      Thank you for listening.
                       Sincerely,
                       Shannon Jacobs
                       127 Alpine Way
                       Vineland, NJ 08360
                       (sherman1971@yahoo.com)

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