From: Heins, Jill [Jill.Heins@vetmedpub.com]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 4:58 PM
To: 'FDADockets@oc.fda.gov'
Subject: Petition 98P-0151/CP1 Downed Animal Protection Act


I would like to encourage you to grant petition 98P-0151/CP1, the Downed
Animal Protection Act.  This legislation would prohibit any stockyard or
market buyer to buy, sell, transfer, or drag any animal  unable to stand on
his or her own. The legislation further  requires that all "downed" animals
be humanely euthanized.

The livestock industry has attempted to prevent the marketing of downed
animals through volunteer measures, but the problem persists. State laws
that address animal cruelty usually do not cover livestock and the Packers
and Stockyards Act,  which governs the handling of animals at stockyards,
does not  address humane concerns. Cows, pigs, goats, and other animals too
sick or disabled to stand on their own are left to suffer, sometimes for
days, with no veterinary attention.


* Animals who are too sick or injured to stand should not be allowed to be
slaughtered for human consumption.

* The use of downed animals in meat production poses an increased health
risk to the consumer from bacterial contamination and disease.

* Downed animals cannot be moved humanely, and they are typically pushed
with tractors or dragged with chains--resulting in injuries from bruises and
abrasions to broken bones and torn ligaments.

.* Prohibiting the marketing of downed animals will cause no undue economic
hardship.

* Industry experts have estimated that 90% 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 the inherent cruelty of downed animals in the first place.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,


Jill M. Heins
Veterinary Healthcare Communications
8033 Flint
Lenexa, KS  66214
(800) 255-6864, ext. 139
Fax: (913) 492-4157
jill.heins@vetmedpub.com
http://www.vetmedpub.com