From: Dana Wullenwaber [dlis@dfg2.ca.gov]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 2:16 PM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Petition 98P-0151/CP1

I am writing in regard to Petition 98P-0151/CP1 - to prohibit the
slaughter of downed animals.  I strongly support this petition, for the
following reasons:

                           Animals who are too sick or injured even to
stand
                           should not be allowed to enter the human food
chain.
                           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).

                           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.

Please support this petition!

Thank you,

Dana Wullenwaber
19777 Ponderosa Road
Redding, CA  96003