From: BreakDancer4@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 7:53 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Please Read
Dear FDA, 
    Hello.  My name is Rebecca Byrd.  I am 15 years old and I feel that is 
my duty as an animal lover and animal activist that I write to you.  I am 
writing in reference to   
docket number 98P-0151/CP1. I know many people have probably written to you 
with their opinions on the problem but know you're going to hear mine.  I 
know I probably don't know you're point of view on the situatuion, but here's 
mine.  Many "downed" animals (as you know) don't have the strength or health 
to stand on their own.  They are picked up with froklifts, shackeld, hoisted, 
dragged by the naeck and/or legs, and/or pushed by tractors to the 
slaughterhouse.  all the while these animals are fully conscious and can feel 
eveerything being done to them.  Many of these innocent creatures suffer 
broken bones, deep cuts or lacerations, and tear many tendons.  Even though 
animals are not human beings, they are living creatures and have a right to 
the same treatmen that we receive if not better.  Many of this suffering 
could easily be eased.  Also, these downed animals that are still being used 
for food, are also contaminated with BSE.  But you probably already knew that 
yet you continue to allow these animals to be butchered and sold to the 
consumers.  As you probably know, BSE is linked to the fatal human illness, 
CJD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.  I am very concerned not only for the 
health and welfare of the innocent creatures but also for those of the people 
who eat them.  Please write back to me asap.  Thanks for your time. 

                    Sincerely, 
                    Rebecca Byrd