Are downer animals allowed to be used for meat consumption in Ohio?

Answer 1

For federally or state inspected meat, "downer" cattle (cattle that are unable to rise OR walk unassisted, legally called non-ambulatory disabled) are prohibited from slaughter for human consumption. However, a "downer" cow can be slaughtered under custom exempt rules, which means the meat must be delivered back to the owner who presented the cow for slaughter and the meat can only be used to feed the owner, his immediate family and his non-paying guests. This prohibition was enacted over concerns regarding BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the scientific term for mad cow disease).

There are no regulations prohibiting the slaughter of "downer" animals of any other species.