AK's Midstate Meats, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 10:15am on Wednesday 6/9/21 while verifying HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness on the kill floor, I, Dr. REDACTED SPHV, observed the following non-compliance. I observed the stun operator administer two stuns to render a goat unconscious utilizing a .22 revolver for both attempts. The stun operator did not have to reload the revolver in between stunning attempts. Following the first stun attempt, I observed the animal remain standing, attempt to walk away backwards, move its head and blink its eyes. I observed the stun operator apply the second effective stun, which immediately rendered the animal unconscious, approximately 5 seconds after the initial attempt. After skinning the head, I inspected the dressed head and observed two penetrating holes. One hole was too far rostral on the forehead where the skull is very thick. The second hole was on the top of the head. Due to the application of prompt corrective actions and this being the last animal slaughtered for the day, a regulatory control action was not taken. Mr. Gerry Marlow, plant manager, was verbally notified on the impending non-compliance. This noncompliance report (NR) is being linked to NZS0512054718N/1, a previous HATS VIII NR issued on 5/17/21 for the same root cause.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 12:15 pm on Monday 5/17/21 while verifying HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness on the kill floor I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance. I observed the stun operator administer two stuns to render a heifer unconscious utilizing a .38 revolver for both attempts. The stun operator did not have to reload the revolver in between stunning attempts. Following the first stun attempt I observed the animal remain standing and vocalize twice. I observed the stun operator apply the second effective stun, which immediately rendered the animal unconscious, approximately 10 seconds after the initial attempt. After skinning and splitting the head, I inspected the dressed head and observed two penetrating holes. One hole was too low below the brain and had a downward trajectory. The second hole entered the brain cavity. Mr. Gerry Marlow, plant manager, was verbally notified of the impending noncompliance. The previous HATS VIII NR issued on 5/10/21 was due to a faulty ammunition round.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 10:00am on Monday 5/10/21 while verifying HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness on the slaughter floor, both Dr. REDACTED SPHV and Ms. REDACTED CSI observed a heifer in the stun box. The stun operator applied a first stun attempt with a .38 revolver using .38 reload rounds. There was a small pop. There was no reaction from the heifer. The firearm was already loaded with another round. The stun operator immediately applied an effective second stun. There was a load bang. The heifer dropped in the stun box with no movement or vocalization. After skinning and splitting the head, two bullet holes were observed. The first stun attempt had proper placement and trajectory but did not have enough power to fully penetrate and effectively stun the heifer. The second stun attempt entered the brain cavity and was effective. This is noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) requiring that when an animal is stunned with a firearm that the animal must be rendered immediately unconscious by a single shot. Mr. Gerry Marlow, plant manager, was verbally notified.