Albion Locker: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness While verifying HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness, I, the CSI, observed the following noncompliance. For safety reasons, the CSI was outside of the stunning area during firearm stunning. At approximately 8:56am, the establishment employee applied the first stun on a beef cow using a .22 magnum firearm. After the first stun was heard, the CSI heard the animal vocalize once. The CSI then heard a second and third stun applied. After the third stun, the establishment employee signaled to the CSI that it was safe to enter the stunning area. The CSI entered the stunning area and observed that the animal was laying down with its head raised, blinking, and breathing heavily. The CSI informed the establishment employee that the animal was still blinking and at this point the animal attempted to stand up. The cow was able to get its back legs under itself and raise its hindquarters off the ground but was not able to lift its chest from the ground. The establishment employee retrieved the firearm, and a fourth stun attempt was applied after the CSI exited the stunning area. The CSI reentered the stunning after being informed that it was safe to enter and verified that animal was rendered unconscious following the fourth stun attempt. The CSI verbally informed Dustin Frey, Owner, of the noncompliance. Denver District Management team was contacted through supervisory channels. Regulatory control was taken at the stunning area with USDA Reject Tag #B19204803. The dressed head was retained with USDA Retain Tag # B19204807. This noncompliance is being linked to NR# XDH0910031708N that was issued on March 8, 2021 for the same root cause.