If you threw your dog or cat into a dumpster because he or she was too sick to stand, you could and should be prosecuted for cruelty to animals.   But when ailing cows, sheep, pigs and chickens are thrown in dumpsters, or left to suffer and die in stockyard pens and parking lots, it’s considered "common," "normal" and "accepted" farming practices.   Most federal and state anti-cruelty laws DO NOT cover farm animals.  The term is ironic since most come from overcrowded factory warehouses and have never been on a farm, stood on grass or even been outside in the sun until they leave for their trip to the stockyard or slaughterhouse.  If the weak, sick or injured animals are not left for dead, or don't die, often they are painfully dragged with a rope by their leg or neck and taken to slaughter for human consumption.   Besides the ethical considerations, marketing of downed animals poses a risk to human health.

     The USDA recently reviewed and revised is policy regarding the purchase of ground beef for the National School Lunch Program and other federal food and nutrition programs and issued the following agency statement:  "USDA will no longer accept ground beef that includes product from non-ambulatory cattle, commonly known as ‘downers.’   Carcasses originating from cattle that are disabled…must be segregated to assure that the product from these carcasses is not included in the USDA purchased beef."  This development shows a growing consensus – even among industry and government officials – that the marketing and slaughter of downed animals causes intense animal suffering and poses an unnecessary health risk.

    Now is the time for concerned citizens to write to the Food and Drug administration to urge that they grant the petition to prohibit the slaughter of downed animals.  Be sure to include the docket number in your letter:  Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1.

For more detailed information on this campaign, visit farmsanctuary.org