From: clifton & stacey kuykendall [skhk@gxmi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 3:00 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Petition 98P-0151/CP1

Dear FDA,
 
I am asking that you grant petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the slaughter of downed animal.  There are many reasons to not use downed animals in the food processing business. I was happy to learn that the USDA announced that it is stopping the purchase of downed animals for the National School Lunch Program.
That is certainly a step in the right direction. If the USDA considers downed animals unacceptable for children, shouldn't they be unacceptable for everyone? 
   Animals that are too sick to stand could be a health risk for those who choose to eat them. Those people shouldn't be exposed to diseases without warning. Maybe if they knew how downed animals are treated, they wouldn't eat them at all. Animals in the meat industry are already treated without concern for their welfare or comfort. It is a money issue and compassion takes a back seat to profit. It only adds insult to injury the way some of them are treated when they are to sick or injured to comply any longer. The compassion toward animals, or lack of it, says alot about our society. Please help it say something a little more positive. You can make a difference in this area. Downed animals aren't a large part of the meat industry. Granting this petition will make a difference in the animals lives but shouldn't cause a financial hardship on any given owner. These animals should be humanely put to sleep if neccessary, or given to someone willing to rescue & rehabilitate them. There are many of those people out there. Thank you for your time.  Stacey Kuykendall