AR-News: URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR S.1298 / H.R.2519

[ISPEAKInc at aol.com]

Last year Congressman Gary Ackerman introduced an amendment to the House 
Agriculture Appropriations bill to prevent downed animal abuse.  Unfortunately the 
bill was altered to read animals that receive treatment [intending] to help 
them would be exempt from the bill.  This would have given tremendous leeway to 
the meat industry and not have helped downed animals in the end.  As such, 
I-SPEAK and other concerned humane societies urged the public not to support 
that version of the bill.

Rep. Ackerman has re-introduced the bill to have all Downed Animals 
immediately euthanized and no conscious nonambulatory livestock shall be moved.  This 
was the type of wording we requested humane groups to hold out for.

Due to this change I-SPEAK would request that all humane groups and anyone 
concerned about downed animals support the Federal Downed Animal Protection Act
Bill Number: S. 1298 & H.R. 2519

Contact your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor the Downed 
Animal Protection Act and to support the Ackerman Downed Animal Protection 
Amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill.