From: Jim Croop Jr. [jcroop@wolfenet.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 2:10 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: "Re: Docket Number 98P-0151/CP1" 

Dear Distinguished Gentlemen and Gentlewomen,
    I am writing to you on behalf of the millions of poor suffering animals that are being treated in the most inhumane ways. Commercial farming for meat production comes close to being the equivalent of the brutal treatment of the Jews by Nazi Germany in the '30's and during WWII. Brutality is brutality, be it man or beast. Terror, fear and pain are not an exclusive human experience.
 
    Having said that, I invite any one in your office to tour a commercial farm where the slaughtering of animals is part of their "business". The pork and beef industries are particularly cruel in their treatment of the sick, old and downed animals. I guarantee, all you need to do is have one look, just a glance at how these helpless animals are treated, and not only will you be sickened by what you will see, but you may never be able to get those images out of your "minds eye". I guarantee it. I can think of no more cruel, brutal and inhumane treatment of these poor creatures. Don't forget, God did in fact create all creatures great and small! I sometimes find it hard to believe that we humans are considered great in the grand scheme of things.
 
    If you study animal behavior and social traits, you'll discover that cows are in fact a "pack" animal. Meaning that they have a family complete with a social hierarchy. For want of a better word (I may not be far off base) the "parents" in the cow family are mated pairs. If left alone, they would indeed stay together for their entire lives, seeing over their "family" till their last days. Commercial farming is literally destroying the traditions and genetic histories of these wonderful animals. 
 
    Lets look at the pork industry. Just when you think it can get no worse then the beef industry, go to a hog farm. Anywhere in the country. These highly intelligent animals are treated horrendously on a routine basis. They are beaten daily by the sadistic workers that this industry seems to attract. They are kicked, hit with baseball bats, pushed with bulldozers, picked up with forklifts and dropped from heights that break bones and cause internal injuries. They are then left to live out what is left of their pathetic lives (sometimes days, weeks) in horrendous pain, suffering and terror. On top of this, they are expected to move with the herd after suffering these injuries. If they don't move, they are subjected to the same beatings, the same brutal behavior that put them in this awful condition in the first place. This is no joke. This is no lie. Go to one of these farm/slaughterhouses and see for yourselves. It's not pretty. These animals live in total, complete terror on a daily basis. If you love dogs, then the sight of the treatment these creatures get will sicken and shock you. Pigs and dogs are interchangeable in that their personalities and behaviors are uncannily similar! Now, imagine someone treating your beloved pet in this manner. Pigs have become very popular and loved as household pets. 
 
    To witness the cruel and inhumane treatment of these animals makes even the strongest puke, cry and struggle to get those images out of a persons mind. Have you ever had any contact with a living pig or piglet? These sweet animals are the intellectual equivalent to your everyday house pet. Particularly dogs. They're smart, affectionate, can learn dozens of commands, (just like Rover) and are just a hoot to be around! That are the Comedy acts of the Farm community! They get along with almost every house pet you can name. Pigs also create a family which when left alone, as in no slaughter-house, stay together as mated pairs. The offspring play together much in the same way as your dog or cat siblings would do. They're a howl to watch. 
 
    So why then are these gifted creatures that God gave us being treated so inhumanely? This is why we need your help so desperately. We're only addressing the sick, old and downed animals at this time. In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to slaughter these wonderful animals to feed our people. But...the world isn't perfect, yet!
At this point I would ask you: are you laughing, crying, mildly interested, shocked? Do you care? Are you going to go home and have a steak or pork chop and not give it a second thought? I would ask you to check your moral inventory. Please, don't laugh this off as another letter from one of those "damned environmentalists"!
 
 *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,  broken bones and torn ligaments, to severe life threatening internal injuries.
* 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 downed animals in the first place.

    I am asking you all to check your heart and soul on this one. What is your moral fiber made of? Please, put "special interest" on the backburner regarding this emotional, most important issue. I am asking you to grant the petition of 98P-0151/CP1 TO PROHIBIT THE SLAUGHTER OF DOWNED ANIMALS. If, during the course of your careers, this is the only fight you take up on behalf of these helpless animals, then you will truly be able to retire with extra pride and dignity of a very special nature!  I'm not suggesting that your other work in other areas is less important or nothing to be proud of. When we fight for the helpless, we get a special kind of satisfaction and fulfillment that makes us stand a little taller and gives us strength to go on to fight the real fights. The tough fights. Not just the ones we know we can win. 

    In closing, I humbly thank you for your time. I would ask you to discuss this issue with not only your co-workers, but please include friends and family. This issue runs deep and deserves our undivided attention. Think about what I have said here when you reach over to pet your cat, dog or whatever little creature you share your lives with.  Think twice about the abuse of pigs and cows when you're going out to dinner. Order your food with a proper conscience. We can make a real difference with 98P-0151/CP1. Think about it, please.

Thank you, 
Jim Croop Jr.
9712 Densmore Ave N.
Seattle, Wash. 98103