From: Melanie Parker [smokey216@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 12:09 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Cc: smokey216@hotmail.com
Subject: Docket number 98P-0151/CP1 

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing in support of the petition filed by Farm Sanctuary that would 
prohibit the slaughter of downed animals (Docket number 98P-0151/CP1).

It is abhorrent to know that 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 inhumane 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).

Please at least stop the transmission of BSE by prohibiting the slaughter.  
And I hope you will also do something to stop the inhumane treatment of 
these poor, defenseless animals.

For the animals,

Melanie Parker
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com