From: strain_team [strain_team@netzero.net]
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 9:37 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Docket 98P-0151/CP1

To Whom it may Concern:
 
I would like to take this opportunity to humbly urge you to grant petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals.  
 
As I'm sure you know, downed animals are those who are too sick to even stand up.  Such sick creatures should clearly not be allowed to enter the human food chain.  Rather, they should be provided with proper veterinary care, or at very least, humane euthanization.  
 
In addition, it is impossible to move a downed animal humanely.  Sadly, these poor animals are routinely pushed with tractors or dragged with chains.  I find this practice to be absolutely heinous.  
 
Finally, downed animals represent a very small percentage of all animals slaughtered.  Therefore, prohibiting their marketing would cause no undue economic hardship.
 
For the above reasons, I believe that granting petition 98P-0151/CP1 is a logical, economically sound decision.  More importantly, it is the right thing to do.  

Thank you very much for your attention.

Darren Paul Strain
4824 Shepherd Street
Brookhaven, PA 19015