From: Kim [nitro.k@worldnet.att.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 8:21 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: 98P-0151/CP1 Downed Animal Sale

Please support the petition filed by Farm Sanctuary that would prohibit the
slaughter of downed animals and help ease the suffering of downed animals
due to the horrendous conditions on factory farms.
Many animals become too weak and sick to stand up or move under their own
strength. These "downed" animals are shackled, hoisted, and dragged by the
leg or neck or pushed by tractors and forklifts to the slaughterhouse. The
helpless animals suffer broken bones, torn tendons, and lacerations from
this humane handling.  Studies reveal that most downed animals are fully
conscious and suffer intensely during the process. All this, so that
companies can make a few extra dollars.
In addition to posing an increased risk of 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 that has
been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and
that is currently a large threat in Europe.

Sincerely,

Kim Ortin
Hartford, WI
A Concerned Citizen