From: Sprout [sprout26@mindspring.com]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 3:08 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: docket number 98P-0151/CP1 -- Stop the slaughter of downed
animals

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
FAX: 301-827-6870
E-mail: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov 

Re: docket number 98P-0151-CP1

Dear Sir/Madame:

Please stop the slaughter of downed animals.

Sick and injured animals are not fit for human consumption.  
Downed animals pose a risk of bacterial infection and 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). 

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. 

Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals 
slaughtered, and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue 
economic hardship.  Industry experts have estimated that 90% 
percent of downed animals can be prevented with better care and 
handling.  Removing the market for downed animals will provide an 
incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in the first place.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important email.  I look 
forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,
Tiffany Trader
San Diego, CA 92103