From: Bryan & Carla Wilson [ruvegan@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2001 8:20 PM
To: 'FDADockets@oc.fda.gov'; 'ssundlof@cvm.fda.gov'
Subject: family photos


 Dear FDA:
> 
> Modern factory farms may be the greatest
> contributors to animal suffering.
> Of the 9 billion animals killed in slaughterhouses
> every year, the suffering
> is compounded for "downed animals" --- animals who,
> because of illness or
> injury, are unable to stand or walk from the
> stockyard to slaughter.
> 
> Current law doesn't protect livestock from handlers
> who beat, kick, and drag
> these animals to slaughter, or from being pushed
> with a bulldozer into a
> "dead pile" where they eventually die from their
> injuries and illnesses.  It
> is truly heartbreaking.
> 
> As you no doubt know, Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
> has introduced S. 267, the
> Downed Animal Protection Act, to prohibit the
> transfer or sale of farm
> animals who cannot walk because of illness or
> injury, which I heartily
> supported.  
> 
> I understand a Petition has also been filed with the
> FDA to completely
> prohibit the slaughter of downed animals.  I
> strongly support the Petition.
> 
> Please consider the following:
> 
> 1.  Animals who are too sick or injured even to
> stand should not be allowed
> to enter the human food chain.
> 
> 2.  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 (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow
> Disease"), a disease which
> has been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or
> Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease).
> 
> 3.  It is impossible to move downed animals
> humanely, and they are typically
> pushed with tractors or dragged with chains -
> inhumane processes which cause
> injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions to
> broken bones and torn
> ligaments.
> 
> 4.  Downed animals comprise a very small percentage
> of animals slaughtered,
> and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue
> economic hardship.
> 
> 5.  Industry experts estimate that 90% of downed
> animals can be prevented
> with better care and handling.   By removing the
> market for downed animals,
> the incentive to industry to prevent downed animals
> in the first place will
> be increased.
> 
> Animal suffering and the threat to human health that
> the downed animal
> situation poses suggest that humane euthanasia is
> the only reasonable
> solution.  
> 
> Please approve the Petition filed with the FDA to
> completely prohibit the
> slaughter of downed animals.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
The Wilson family
Orlando,FL
USA