From:	Vinson, Jeannie M.
Sent:	Thursday, June 07, 2001 10:37 AM
To:	Dockets, FDA
Subject:	Docket #98P-0151/CP1
Ref:  Downed Animal Protection Act (S.267)

FDA should prohibit all use of downed animals in human food, especially horses.  There are laws in California that protect cow, swine, sheep and goats from being transported with broken legs or other injuries that make them immobile but there are no laws protecting horses.  It's bad enough that horses are considered livestock instead of domesticated/pet animals.  Horses are precious, magnificent animals and it's bad enough that some of them even end up at the slaughter houses.  The least we can do, as horse lovers, is to make the trip to the slaughter house as humane and painless as possible.  Horses that have broken legs, blind, or can't walk without assistance should never be pulled, pushed, dragged or hoisted by equipment to get them on a transport truck.  They should just be euthanized at the farm.  The abuse to these wonderful animals has to stop.  They do feel pain, fear, joy and sorrow.  They have a right to humane treatment.  

Please, we need to support The Downed Animal Protection Act (S.267) - they can't speak for themselves, we must speak for them.