Sick Animals Slaughtered for Us to Eat (and not in China)

A PLEA FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY

It’s time to step up our effort to spare sick and injured farm animals the misery of being dragged to slaughter. Some members of Congress believe that the agribusiness industry is doing enough to protect animal welfare and food safety, and that laws are simply not needed. But the evidence is clear that farm animals are suffering and the nation’s food supply is at risk. Tell Congress it's time to help sick and injured farm animals.

Farm animals too sick or injured to walk -- those known as "downers" -- go through agonizing torment as they're forcibly moved to slaughter. Meat from such animals also may pose serious risks to public health. At least 12 of the 14 "mad cow" cases identified so far in North America have reportedly been downer cows. And downers may pass along dangerous infections such as E. coli and Salmonella, since these suffering animals are often lying in bacteria-laden waste and have higher levels of pathogens due to stress.

TAKE ACTION

Please make brief, polite phone calls to your two U.S. Senators, Hillary Clinton at (202) 224-4451 and Charles Schumer at (202) 224-6542, today and urge co-sponsorship of the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act.

Making a phone call is easy. A staff member will take note of your message and pass it to your legislator. You can say:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I’m calling from [your town and state] to urge [Senator Clinton/Senator Schumer] to co-sponsor the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act (S. 394/H.R. 661). It’s time for Congress to make sure that farm animals who are too sick or injured to walk are put out of their misery and that they don't end up on someone’s dinner plate. Thank you."

After you make your calls, send a follow-up email to further encourage your legislators to protect downed animals and the food supply.

Finally, please tell your friends and family about this important issue and let them know what they can do to help. The more people who contact Congress, the more co-sponsors this legislation will receive and the better its chances of being passed into law.

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