ASC Lockers, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the ASC Lockers, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2021.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2021.
313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(2)
On 9/21/2021 at 1345 I entered the slaughter department, looking for and to discuss if Aaron Koch (Owner/Operator) was cooking federal product for the day. An email from ASC on 9/16/2021 stated, ASC Locker was going to produce federal product each day next week. Federal product was not produced on 9/20/21 and further informed at 0605, by employee REDACTED. that they were not processing federal product today either. To verify this I returned to observe operations and notice the smokehouse was being use and decided to ask Aaron Koch if they were cooking federal product. As I approached the slaughter floor I heard a gun shot and a pig squealing. I looked into the room to see if the employee was done before entering. The animal was still standing and the employee was repositioning his gun for another shot. At the time of the shot the stunning pen had two hogs in it. The employee took another shot, and the animal went down. The hog behind it tried to move out of the way as it was being kicked by the downed animal, consequently it climbed on top of the downed animal. At that time the employee took another shot at the second hog and it went down immediately. Both animals were being slaughter as custom exempt livestock. I returned to the lunchroom/office area to inform an employee in charge. At approximately1410, Aaron Koch returned. I informed him of the noncompliance with his employee, not assuring the hog was shot in a manner, rendering it immediately unconscious. I further advise him that, the practice of allowing another animal in the same pen at the time of slaughter, caused excitement and discomfort to the second animal and was also an inhumane practice. 9 CFR 313.16 (a) requires immediate unconsciousness by a single shot and driving the animals to the shooting area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. FMIA (21 U.S.C. 610(b) prohibits slaughter or handling of livestock in connection with slaughter in any manner not in accordance with 7 U.S.C. 1901-1906 (HMSA). This applies to all animals on the premise of a federally-inspected establishment, whether those animals are designated for slaughter under federal inspection or for slaughter under a Custom Exemption program.
